Pope Francis will visit the Italian region of Calabria later this month.
Today, the Holy See Press Office announced the Holy Father’s itinerary for the Saturday, June 21 visit, detailing his program in the Diocese of Cassano all’Jonio in the Calabrian province of Cosenza. His schedule includes a public Mass, visiting the incarcerated, ill, poor, and elderly.
After an early morning flight, the Pope will first visit the “Rosetta Sisca” penitentiary of Castrovillari, where he will meet with detainees, prison staff and their families.
Next on the lineup is flying over to Cassano all’Jonio, where he will land in the “Pietro Toscano” sports field. After a brief welcome ceremony, he will visit the “Giuseppe Moscati” centre for palliative care for the terminally ill, which will be followed by a midday meeting at the diocesan cathedral with clergy.
His 1 p.m. lunch plans, to take place in the John Paul I Seminary, involve eating with the poor, assisted by the local Caritas chapter, and with young people of the “Mauro Rostagno” residential therapeutic rehabilitation centre.
At 2 p.m., the Pope will pay a special visit to the “Casa Serena” residence, a religious home for the elderly, which will be followed by a 4 p.m. Mass at Piana di Sibari, the largest plain in Calabria, a center for tourism and economic resources.
The Holy Father will depart from Marina di Sibari at 6 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive in Vatican City at 7.30 p.m. (D.C.L.)
