Pope Will Go to L’Aquila: Another Confirmed Trip in Italy before the End of 2022
(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 04.06.2022).- On August 28, 2022, a day after the Consistory to create new Cardinals, Pope Francis will undertake another Apostolic Journey in Italy — to L’Aquila, on the occasion of the religious festivity of “forgiveness.” The event was instituted by Pope Celestine in 1294 to grant a Plenary Indulgence to faithful who went to Confession, to Communion and then visited the Basilica of Santa Maria of Collemaggio between August 28 and 29.
The first to report the news was the Archbishop of Aquila, who said: “With great joy I communicate that the Holy Father has confirmed his visit to L’Aquila next August 28, on the occasion of the Celebration of Forgiveness. Attached is the program that he himself defined and signed, which he sent me through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. This choice represents a gesture of predilection towards our Church and our City, even more precious if we take into account his urgent pastoral commitments and some painful health problems.”
The Pontiff will leave the Vatican by helicopter at 8:00 am and land at 8:25 am in the Gran Sasso Stadium of L’Aquila. He will then go by car to the main Square. The Archbishop of L’Aquila will welcome him in the Square at 8:45 am and, at 9:15 am, he will meet with some local families. He will then go to the Basilica of Santa Maria of Collemaggio where he will celebrated Mass at 10:00 am. He will take leave of the local Authorities at 12:30 pm, and take off by helicopter at 12:45 pm to return to the Vatican. He is scheduled to arrive at the Vatican’s Heliport at 1:15 pm.
It is the second trip in Italy planned by the Pope before the end of the year; the previously confirmed trip is that of September to Matera for the National Eucharistic Congress.
