POPE ASKS FAITHFUL TO PRAY FOR YEAR OF FAITH, SYNOD OF BISHOPS

Vatican City,  (VIS) - Following his catechesis during his general audience this morning, the Pope mentioned his visit tomorrow to Loreto, Italy, "on the fiftieth anniversary of the famous pilgrimage made to that Marian shrine by Blessed Pope John XXIII, a week before the opening of Vatican Council II".

Benedict XVI asked everyone to join his prayers "entrusting to the Mother of God the main ecclesial events we are preparing to experience: the Year of Faith, and the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelisation. May the Blessed Virgin accompany the Church on her mission to announce the Gospel to the men and women of our time".