VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2007 (VIS) - In the Paul VI Hall on the afternoon of Saturday, March 10, the Holy Father will preside at a Marian prayer vigil marking the fifth European Day for Universities. The theme of the vigil is: "Intellectual charity, the way to renewed cooperation between Europe and Asia."
The event will begin at 3.30 p.m. with the entrance of the university students' cross accompanied by delegations from Asia. Then, following a period of reflection and prayer, there will be satellite linkups with university students in various European and Asian cities.
With the arrival of the Pope, scheduled for 5 p.m., the recitation of the Rosary will begin, with the contemplation of the Glorious Mysteries. In further linkups local ordinaries - cardinals and bishops - will recite brief introductory prayers to each of the Mysteries: Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, archbishop of Bologna, Italy; Archbishop Lukas Sirkar S.D.B., of Calcutta, India; Bishop Albino Mamede Cleto of Coimbra, Portugal; Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow, Poland; Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun S.D.B., bishop of Hong Kong, China; Bishop Terence John Brain of Salford, England; Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales, archbishop of Manila, Philippines; Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, archbishop of Prague, Czech Republic; Archbishop Rrok K. Mirdita of Tirana, Albania; Cardinal Severino Poletto, archbishop of Turin, Italy; and Bishop Anthony T. Lobo of Islamabad, Pakistan.
Following the Rosary, Benedict XVI will address some words to the participants, before distributing copies of the Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Asia" to a group of representatives from ecclesial movements and associations, and imparting his apostolic blessing. The Day will conclude with the pilgrimage of the cross from the Paul VI Hall to LUMSA University (Libera Universita Maria Santissima Assunta) near St. Peter's.
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