PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN ASSISI

VATICAN CITY, DEC 19, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the programme for the Day of Prayer for Peace in the world which will be held in Assisi, Italy, on January 24, 2001. Below is a list of the most important events:

The Holy Father will depart by train from the Vatican City railway station at 8:30 a.m. on January 24 and is due to arrive at the railway station of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi two hours later. At 11:00 a.m. representatives of the various religions will meet in the Lower Square of St. Francis in Assisi. Following an introductory address by Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, there will be testimonials from delegates of the Orthodox Churches, the Anglican Communion, the Churches originated by the Reformation, Hinduism, the traditional African religions, Buddhism, Hebraism and the Islamic world.

At 12:30 p.m., the representatives of the various religions will pray for peace at different locations within Assisi. John Paul II will preside at a prayer of Christians in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis.

At 3:30 p.m. in the Lower Square of St. Francis, following an introductory monition by Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, the common commitment to peace will be read in English, Arabic and Italian. The Holy Father will light a lamp of the candelabrum - followed by the representatives of the other religions - and deliver a brief exhortation. Signs of peace will then be exchanged between John Paul II and the representatives of other religions.

After making a private visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, John Paul II will return to Vatican City by train where he is expected to arrive at 7:45 p.m.

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