Assisi bound

How I wish I could be there, too:

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2007 (VIS) - On Sunday, June 17, Benedict XVI will make a pastoral visit to Assisi, Italy, for the eighth centenary of the conversion of St. Francis.

The Pope will leave the Vatican by helicopter at 7.30 a.m. After landing at the heliport of Rivotorto, he will make a private visit to the Shrine of St. Damian. At 10 a.m., he will preside at a Eucharistic concelebration in the Lower Square of St. Francis then pray the Angelus. At 12.30 p.m., he will make a private visit to the tomb of St. Francis.

At 4 p.m., he will meet the German Poor Clare Capuchin Sisters in the hall of the convent before going on to the Upper Basilica of St. Francis to meet participants in the general chapter of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual and the community of the convent.

Following a meeting with priests, deacons, religious, superiors and students of the pontifical seminary of Umbria in the Cathedral of San Rufino, he will make a private visit to the shrine of Porziuncola and the chapel of St. Francis.

At 6 p.m., he will meet with young people on the square in front of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.

His return to the Vatican is scheduled for 7 p.m.

His Holiness has referenced the Poverello on a number of ocassions throughout his pontificate and he mentions him in several of his books, as well. Pope Benedict XVI seems to have a great fondness for St. Augustine, St. Benedict, and St. Francis. His words from this weekend's travels are bound to be absolutely amazing. I cannot wait! I hope EWTN will broadcast it...

Updated: EWTN will broadcast the Mass live at 4:00 a.m. Eastern time June 17th. Let's see...that's...3:00a.m. local time for me... The Mass will be rebroadcast at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time.