Marking the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord today March 25, Pope Francis is visiting the Italian hill town of Loreto, on the Adriatic Sea. On the occasion, Francis will be offering the Virgin Mary the Post-Synodal Exhortation of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: «Youth, faith and vocational discernment,» held in the Vatican from Oct. 3-28, 2018.
The Basilica of the Holy House of Mary makes Loreto, in Italy’s Marche region, a popular pilgrimage site.
Loreto – WIKIMEDIA COMMONS – Massimo Roselli
After the Mass, the Holy Father will also greet the Community of Capuchin Friars in the sacristy. In the Sanctuary, the Pope is expected to greet the sick present and go out to the churchyard of the Sanctuary to meet the faithful.
Below is the Vatican-provided program of Pope Francis’ morning and afternoon in Loreto:
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Working translation of Vatican-provided program:
Visit of the Holy Father to Loreto (25 March 2019) – Program
– 8.00 am
Helicopter take-off from the Vatican heliport.
– 9.00 am
Landing at the «Giovanni Paolo II» Youth Center in the Montorso area.
The Holy Father is welcomed by: – HE Mons. Fabio Dal Cin, Archbishop Prelate of Loreto; – Dr. Luca Ceriscioli, President of the Marche Region; – Dr. Antonio D’Acunto, Prefect of Ancona; – Dr. Paolo Niccoletti, Mayor of Loreto.
Transfer by car to the Sanctuary of Loreto.
– 9.30 am
At the Shrine, the Holy Father is welcomed: – Father Franco Carollo, Rector of the Pontifical Basilica of the Holy House of Loreto; – Fr Andrea Principini, Vicar General of the Pontifical Delegation for the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto; – Father Vincenzo Mattia, Vicar General of the Prelature of the Holy House of Loreto; – Dr. Claudio Quattrini, General Secretary of the Pontifical Delegation for the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto.
– 9.45 am
The Holy Father celebrates the Eucharist in the Holy House.
At the end of the Mass the Pope signs the Post-Synodal Letter to the Youth.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Holy Father greets the Community of Capuchin Friars in the sacristy.
In the Sanctuary the Pope greets the sick present and goes out to the churchyard of the Sanctuary to meet the faithful.
Greetings from HE Msgr. Fabio Dal Cin, Archbishop Prelate of Loreto.
Address of the Holy Father
Angelus
– 12.30 pm
Lunch with the Bishops.
– 2.30 pm
The Holy Father leaves the Sanctuary.
2.45 pm At the heliport of Montorso, the Holy Father says goodbye to those who welcomed him on arrival.
– 3.45 pm
Landing in the Vatican heliport.
– 8.00 am
Helicopter take-off from the Vatican heliport.
– 9.00 am
Landing at the «Giovanni Paolo II» Youth Center in the Montorso area.
The Holy Father is welcomed by: – HE Mons. Fabio Dal Cin, Archbishop Prelate of Loreto; – Dr. Luca Ceriscioli, President of the Marche Region; – Dr. Antonio D’Acunto, Prefect of Ancona; – Dr. Paolo Niccoletti, Mayor of Loreto.
Transfer by car to the Sanctuary of Loreto.
– 9.30 am
At the Shrine, the Holy Father is welcomed: – Father Franco Carollo, Rector of the Pontifical Basilica of the Holy House of Loreto; – Fr Andrea Principini, Vicar General of the Pontifical Delegation for the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto; – Father Vincenzo Mattia, Vicar General of the Prelature of the Holy House of Loreto; – Dr. Claudio Quattrini, General Secretary of the Pontifical Delegation for the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto.
– 9.45 am
The Holy Father celebrates the Eucharist in the Holy House.
At the end of the Mass the Pope signs the Post-Synodal Letter to the Youth.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Holy Father greets the Community of Capuchin Friars in the sacristy.
In the Sanctuary the Pope greets the sick present and goes out to the churchyard of the Sanctuary to meet the faithful.
Greetings from HE Msgr. Fabio Dal Cin, Archbishop Prelate of Loreto.
Address of the Holy Father
Angelus
– 12.30 pm
Lunch with the Bishops.
– 2.30 pm
The Holy Father leaves the Sanctuary.
2.45 pm At the heliport of Montorso, the Holy Father says goodbye to those who welcomed him on arrival.
– 3.45 pm
Landing in the Vatican heliport.
