Pope to Participate in Corpus Christi Procession

VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will celebrate the Mass of Corpus Christi in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and will participate in a eucharistic procession through the streets of Rome.

Today the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff published the calendar of celebrations for the Holy Father between May 15 and June 29, confirming his schedule for upcoming liturgical feasts.

On the feast of Pentecost, May 15, the Pope will ordain 21 priests of the Diocese of Rome in St. Peter's Basilica.

The deacons have been formed in the Major Roman Seminary (6), in the diocesan "Redemptoris Mater" College (9), in the Priestly Fraternity of the Sons of the Cross (1), and in the Association of the Sons of St. Anne (5).

For the feast of Corpus Christi, May 26, the Holy Father will preside at the 7 p.m. Mass at St. John Lateran's, and then participate in the eucharistic procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where Benediction will take place.

The calendar also confirms the Holy Father's pastoral visit to Bari, Italy, on May 29, for the closing of the National Eucharistic Congress.

The Pope will preside on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, at a Mass to be celebrated in St. Peter's at 9:30 a.m. The apostles are patrons of the Diocese of Rome.