Today the Press Room of the Holy See made known the plan of the apostolic journey which Benedict XVI is making to France, from 12th to 15th September, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Lourdes apparitions. The departure from the Roman airport of Fiumicino is scheduled at 9, on Friday, 12th September, and the arrival at Orly Airport (Paris) two hours later. At 12:25, there will be the welcome ceremony at Elyseés, then the Pope will kindly pay a visit to the President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, and will meet the State Authorities, to whom he will deliver a speech. At 5 pm, a meeting of the Pope is scheduled with the representatives of the Hebrew community at the seat of the apostolic nuncio in Paris. Afterwards, at the Collège des Bernardins in Paris, the Pope will meet the exponents of the world of culture. At 7:15 pm, at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Benedict XVI is presiding over the Vesper ceremony with priests, man and woman religious, seminarians and deacons. At 8:30 pm, he is greeting youth on the parvis of the Cathedral. (To be continued) ” ” ” “
