ANCONA, Italy, SEPT. 1, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The retired prefect of the Congregation for Bishops will be representing Benedict XVI next week at the Italian national Eucharistic congress, which the Pope will close on Sept. 11.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re will open the congress this Saturday.
The theme of the event — the 25th Italian national congress — is «Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?»
During the Pope’s one-day trip to Ancona for the close of the conference, he will also dine with representatives of workers and poor persons helped by charitable organizations. In the afternoon he will hold a meeting with families, priests and engaged couples.
It is expected that some 300,000 people will take part in the Eucharistic congress.
5 Topics
The «festive» days of the Eucharistic congress, next Monday through Friday, will center on five themes: affectivity, fragility, work and celebration, tradition and citizenship. These will be linked to five topics and five dioceses: Ancona, Senigallia, Jesi, Fabriano and Loreto.
Next Wednesday, for example, will be dedicated to the topic «Eucharist in Man’s Time: Sport and Transcendence.» A range of activities will present sports as an activity that unites peoples and contributes to reinforce the social fabric.
There will be a soccer tournament and other field areas will be available so that the participants can join in the games.
