The Holy See has released details of Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Cagliari located on the island of Sardinia. During his weekly General Audience in May, the Holy Father had announced his intention visit the diocese due to the “brotherhood” that exists between Cagliari and his native Buenos Aires.
Pedro de Mendoza, who founded it in February 2, 1536, dedicated the city to Our Lady, Holy Mary of the Buon Ayre (Fair Winds), keeping a promise made to the Patroness of Navigators. Later on, when the city was resettled by Juan de Garay in 1580, a compromise was made in naming the city.
“The founders that established [Buenos Aires] wished to name it the city of Holy Spirit,” Pope Francis explained during the General Audience in May. “But the sailors, who had brought the founders there, were Sardinians and wanted it to be named the city of the Madonna of the Bonaria.”
“There was a dispute between them and in the end they negotiated and […] the name of the city is very long; it is called the Ciudad de la Santísima Trinidad y Puerto de Santa María del Buen Aire (City of the Holy Trinity and Port of Saint Mary of Buen Aire), but it was so long that only the last words remained: Buon Aria, Buenos Aires, but it is due to your Madonna.”
According to the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father will depart on the morning of September 22nd. Upon his arrival to Cagliari, the Pope will greet and address civil authorities in the island. From there he will go to the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria, where he will visit the sick and celebrate Mass.
After Mass, Pope Francis will have lunch with the bishops of Sardinia at the Regional Pontifical Seminary of Cagliari and will then go to the Cathedral where he will meet with the poor and several detainees. The Pope will then will meet some representatives from the world of culture and will meet with the youth of Cagliari before returning to the Vatican in the evening.
