Pope Francis is returning to the Italian town of Assisi today, just over a month after his Aug. 4 visit, this time to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Meeting of Prayer for Peace, desired by John Paul II on Oct. 27, 1986.
Related: Read more on the history and the meaning of the Assisi meetings.
Here are the details of Francis’ program:
10.30 Departure from Vatican City’s Helicopter Pad
11.05 Landing at Assisi’s Migaghelli Sports Field near the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels.
Pope Francis will be greeted by Bishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi and the local authorities
11.30 Arrival at the Holy Convent of Assisi
The Pope will be greeted by:
Father Mauro Gambetti, Custodian of the Holy Convent, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, a Muslim reprepresentative, Dr Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, the Syro-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Efrem II, a Jewish representative and the Supreme Head of Tendai Buddhism (Japan)
They then move to the Cloister of Sixtus IV where the representatives of Christian denominations and World Religions are waiting.
12.00 The Holy Father greets all the representatives one by one.
13.00 Lunch together in the refectory of the Holy Convent that also will be attended by several war victims.
15.15 Pope Francis meets individually with the following:
Bartholomew I, a Muslim representative, Archbishop Justin Welby, Patriarch Efrem II and a Jewish representative.
16.00 Prayers for Peace
ECUMENICAL PRAYER OF CHRISTIANS taking place in different places in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis
17.00 All the participants exit from the Lower Basilica and meet with the Representatives of other religions who have prayed in different places and they move to the podium in the Square.
17.17 CLOSING CEREMONY in St. Francis Square
Greeting by Bishop Domenico Sorrentino.
Messages read by:
A testimony from a victim of war, Patriarch Bartholomew I, a Muslim representative, a Jewish representative, Japanese Buddhist Patriarch, Professor Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Community, address by Pope Francis, Letter appealing for peace that will be handed to children in various countries, a moment of silence for the victims of war, the signing of an Appeal for Peace and the lighting of two candles, exchanging the sign of peace
18.30 Pope Francis leaves by car for the St. Mary of the Angels Heliport.
19.30 Arrival at the Vatican City Heliport.
