Train for Pope's Assisi Trip Making Trial Runs

L'Osservatore Romano reported in its Wednesday edition that the train made trial runs Tuesday morning.

The train is a high-speed Italian model, made up of two first class departments and five second class. 

The Pope will be seated in the second car from the front. It is a first class car, but has not been modified in any particular way for the trip.

The Vatican daily explained that due to the absence of aerial electric lines in the Vatican, the train will be pulled by a diesel locomotive from the Vatican to nearby St. Peter's station, where it will be connected to the national electric network.

Pilgrims

Benedict XVI convened the Assisi meeting, with the theme "Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace," to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first World Day for Peace, convoked by Pope John Paul II and celebrated in Assisi on Oct. 27, 1986.

The trip to Assisi is scheduled to take one hour and 50 minutes. The train will slow along the way at the Terni, Foligno and Spoleto stations.