Pope Francis’ program for his visit to Assisi on September 20th
The program for Pope’s Francis’ visit to the Italian hilltop town of Assisi was released in the Vatican on Thursday. During his one-day visit the Pope will be taking part in the closing of an interreligious World Day of Prayer for Peace, organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio. His latest pilgrimage to Assisi marks the 30th anniversary of the First World Day of Prayer for Peace that St. John Paul convened in the birthplace of St. Francis, back in 1986, Vatican Radio informs
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 Cnvent 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.
