Benedict XVI’s apostolic journey to France on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Apparitions of Lourdes (12-15 September) begins this morning. The airplane with the Pope and his retinue left at 9.23 am from Fiumicino airport to land at Orly, Paris, at 11.10 am. After the official reception at Orly (11.15 am), the Pontiff will go the Elysèe for the welcome ceremony (12.25 am), where he will visit the president of the French Republic (12.30 am) and meet the state authorities (1 pm), to whom Benedict XVI will give a speech. In the afternoon, he will have a short meeting with the delegates of the Jewish community at the apostolic nunciature (5 pm), then a meeting with the world of culture at "Collège des Bernardins" (5.30 pm), during which the Pope will give a speech. Then at 7.15 pm in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Benedict XVI will officiate the Vespers with the priests, religious people, nuns, seminarians and deans, and will give a sermon. Then, he will meet the young, gathered in front of Notre-Dame (8.30 pm) for a greeting.
