VATICAN CITY, APRIL 19, 2009 (Zenit.org).- On April 28, Benedict XVI will visit the victims of the recent earthquake in the Abruzzo region of central Italy.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, released a statement Saturday announcing the scheduled date for the Pope’s visit.
The Holy Father has been expressing the desire to travel to the site of the disaster, said the spokesperson.
The Pontiff will spend three hours visiting the tents of Onna, a student house in L’Aquila where eight youth died, a local basilica, and the headquarters of several aid organizations. He will fly over the region in a helicopter to express closeness and solidarity with all the people of the region.
The April 6 earthquake claimed 296 lives, caused injuries to another 1,500 people, and displaced around 55,000 from their homes.
