The feast of the Most Holy Sacrament in Ostia, an ecumenical meeting in Bari, and an Apostolic Journey to Ireland form part of Pope Francis’ program this summer, published by the Holy See Press Office on May 29, 2018.
The official calendar foresees the following celebrations:
In June, the Holy Father will travel to Ostia, on the outskirts of Rome, to celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, on Sunday the 3rd. A procession will take place in the church of Our Lady of Bonaria.
On June 21, the Pontiff will go on ecumenical pilgrimage to Geneva, Switzerland, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of he World Council of Churches. In addition to the ecumenical meetings, he will celebrate Mass with the Catholics of Switzerland.
A week later, on June 28, he will preside over an Ordinary Public Consistory at 4:00 pm, for the creation of 14 Cardinals, including 11 Electors and three Non-Electors older than 80.
The following day, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, he will celebrate Mass at 9:30 am in Saint Peter’s Basilica, during which he will bless the pallia for the new Metropolitan Archbishops appointed during the year.
The white wool pallium, embroidered with a black silk cross, presented by the Pope to Metropolitan Archbishops, is a sign of their communion with the Successor of Peter. Since 2015, it is given to all of them in private by the Pope, and later “imposed” during a celebration in their countries.
For Saturday, July 7, the Pope has called for a day of reflection and prayer for peace in the Middle East, in Bari, Puglia, in the south of Italy, with Christian leaders of the region. Bari is the place where the relics are kept of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myre, recognized by the faithful of different Christian Churches and Denominations as defenders of the weakest and the persecuted.
On August 25 and 26, Pope Francis will be in Dublin, Ireland, for the 9th World Meeting of Families.
