Greg Burke on Pope in Fatima: "More Than Apostolic Visit, an Apostolic Pilgrimage"

«More than an Apostolic Visit, it is an Apostolic Pilgrimage.»
This was said by Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, this afternoon during a briefing on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Fatima, May 12-13. This marks Francis’ 19th Apostolic Visit and 28th country visited.
It also marks the Holy Father’s first visit to Portugal. He clarified that one need not count the time he switched flights in the airport, but did not step outside.
Greg Burke noted that it is interesting how this visit to Fatima had been planned a time ago. Then, in the meantime, the April 28-29 trip to Egypt took place, without much notice.
During the two-day visit, the Pope will give four discourses, and a novelty: they will all be delivered in Portuguese.
This trip marks 50 years from when Pope Paul 6th went to Fatima. Francis’ recent predecessors have gone including Benedict XVI in 2010 and John Paul II, who had visited Fatima three times, in 1982, 1991, and 2000.
Greg Burke pointed out that it was also on May 13, 1981, in which there was the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, who accredited his living through the tragic event to the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.
Returning to Pope Francis’ upcoming visit, the director of the Holy See Press Office said Francis had been invited to Fatima by the president of Portugal and the bishops.
«It is a very natural visit,» the fact that Francis goes to Fatima for the centenary of the Marian apparitions, but at the same time «it should neither be assumed that just because there is the anniversary, that it would be a ‘given’ that the Pope would visit.»
«More than an Apostolic Visit, it is an Apostolic Pilgrimage,» he said.
«This is a Marian pilgrimage happening in the month of May,» one of faith and hope, he expressed.
The Vatican press office director reiterated that during the visit, the canonization will take place of Francisco and Jacinta, the two young visionaries who were «martyred.»
Turning to the religious make up of the country, it is at least 80 percent Christian, and majority Catholic. There are three archdioceses.
The Pope leaves Rome at 2 p.m. and arrives in Monte Real in three hours. As far as a time difference, Portugal is one hour behind Rome.
The Vatican spokesman prepared journalists for heavy crowds, noting there will be many people, in a space that is relatively small. He noted that all is more or less walking distance.
The Vatican director went through the Pope’s program which can be found below: