Pope Francis reminded the crowds gathered for the March 24, 2019, noonday Angelus in St. Peter’s Square that he is making a pilgrimage to Loreto tomorrow – March 25 – the Feast of the Annunciation.
«Tomorrow, Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, I will go to Loreto, to the Virgin’s House,» the Holy Father said. «I’ve chosen this place for the signing of the Apostolic Exhortation dedicated to young people. I ask for your prayer so that Mary’s ‘yes’ becomes the ‘yes’of many of us.»
The Loreto trip was announced February 24, 2019, in a statement by Alessandro Gisotti, the Director ad interim of the Holy See Press Office.
“On this occasion,” the statement added, “the Pope intends to offer 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.”
Loreto is a hill town in the Marche region of Italy, on the Adriatic Sea. The Basilica of the Holy House of Mary makes Loreto a popular pilgrimage site.
During the visit, the Pope will celebrate Mass in the Holy House. At its conclusion, Francis will sign the Post-Synodal Letter to the Youth.
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.
