Itinerary Released for Benedict XVI's Spain Trip

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 27, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's Nov. 6-7 apostolic trip to Spain will include visits to the cities of Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona.

A Vatican communiqué publicized the Pope's itinerary for those days.

The Pontiff will depart from Rome at 8:30 a.m. for Santiago de Compostela, where he is due to arrive at 11:30 a.m. There he will give an address and meet the Prince of Asturias, Felipe, son of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophía; and the Princess of Asturias, the prince's wife, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano.

The Holy Father will then visit the cathedral of Santiago at 1 p.m., and will address the faithful gathered there.

Afterwards, at 1:40 p.m., he will have lunch in the archbishopric with Spanish cardinals and members of the executive committee of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.

Benedict XVI will conclude that day with a Mass for the holy year at 4:30 p.m. in the Plaza de Obradoiro.

He will depart Santiago de Compostela by plane at 9:15 p.m. and fly to Barcelona.

Nov. 7

The next day, Nov. 7, the Pope will have a private meeting with the king and queen of Spain, Juan Carlos I and Sophía, at 9:30 a.m. in the museum hall of the Church of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family).

A Mass will be held at 10 a.m., presided over by the Pontiff, in which he will consecrate that church and its altar.

Afterward, he will exit the church and, from the plaza outside, will pray the midday Angelus with the gathered pilgrims. He will address some words to the people.

The Holy Father will have lunch with cardinals and bishops of Barcelona.

Then, at 5:15 p.m., he will visit the "Obra Benefico-Social Nen Deu," a diocesan foundation for people with disabilities run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

Benedict XVI will next go to the Barcelona airport for a farewell ceremony and his departure. His flight is scheduled to leave at 7:15 p.m., and will arrive in Rome at 8:55 p.m.