HOLY FATHER TO MAKE A PASTORAL VISIT TO THE SHRINE OF LORETO

Vatican City,  (VIS) - The Holy Father is to make a pastoral visit to Loreto, Italy, on 4 October, marking the fiftieth anniversary of Blessed Pope John XXIII's visit to that Marian shrine.

Benedict XVI will depart from the Vatican by helicopter at 9 a.m., arriving at the John Paul II Centre at Montorso an hour later. At 10.20 a.m. he is due to visit the Holy House contained inside the shrine, where he will adore the Blessed Sacrament and pray to Our Lady of Loreto. At 10.30 a.m. he will celebrate Mass and pronounce a homily on the Piazza della Madonna di Loreto. Having had lunch at the John Paul II Centre, we is due to depart at 5 p.m. and to arrive back in the Vatican at 6 p.m.