HOLY FATHER TO VISIT EMILIA ROMAGNA REGION FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE

Vatican City, 19 June 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today announced that on Tuesday 26 June Benedict XVI will visit areas in the Italian region of Emilia Romagna recently affected by an earthquake. The Holy Father is scheduled to arrive by helicopter at the sports ground of San Marino di Carpi at around 10 a.m. where he will be welcomed by the head of the Italian Civil Protection Department. He will then travel to Rovereto di Novi, crossing the "red zone" and visiting the church of St. Catherine of Alexandria which was seriously damaged by the earth tremor. Following a greeting from the president of the region of Emilia Romagna, the Pope will make an address to the local people. He is due to return to the Vatican at around  1.15 p.m.