The Pope made his appeal today at the end of the weekly general audience, which was held today in Paul VI Hall. The Pontiff will travel to Santiago de Compostela on Saturday, and then spend the night in Barcelona. On Sunday, he will consecrate the Church of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) and designate it a basilica.
In his greeting to Spanish-speaking pilgrims, the Holy Father said he would travel to Spain «as a witness of the Risen Christ, with the desire to bring to all his Word, in which they can find the light to live with dignity and and with the hope to build a better world.»
The Pontiff noted that the visit will be divided into two parts: the «pastoral visit to Santiago de Compostela, uniting myself to the pilgrims who arrive to the feet of the Apostle in this Holy Year,» and in Barcelona, «where I will have the joy to consecrate the marvelous temple of the Holy Family, work of the brilliant architect Antoni Gaudí”.
For this, he invited the faithful to accompany him «with your fervent prayer this weekend.»
