POPE TO VISIT THE HOUSE OF THE VERBITES IN NEMI

Vatican City,  (VIS) - On Monday 9 July, the Holy Father will make a visit to the House of the Verbites in Nemi, a village near Castelgandolfo, according to a communique issued today by the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household.

It was at the House of the Verbites - which since January 2010 has been known as the "Ad Gentes Centre" - that the Vatican Council II Commission on Missions met to prepare the draft of the Conciliar Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church. The theologian and professor Joseph Ratzinger participated in the session held there from 29 March to 3 April 1965 as an expert of the conciliar assembly. Hence the reason for his private visit, which he is making at the invitation of the Missionaries of the Divine Word.

Benedict XVI will depart from Castelgandolfo by car at 11.30 a.m., arriving at Nemi a quarter of an hour later. He will be welcomed in the House of the Verbites by Fr. Heinz Kuluke, superior general elect; Fr. Antonio Pernia superior general, and Fr. Giancarlo Girardi, procurator general. The Holy Father will then move on the chapel to meet with the 150 participants in the general chapter of the order and the community of the Mother House in Rome. Having adored the Blessed Sacrament, and listened to a welcome address from Fr. Pernia, the Pope will make some brief remarks and impart his apostolic blessing.

He is due to return to Castelgandolfo at 12.15 p.m.