The Pope in Paris

(13 Sept 08-RV) Pope Benedict is due to celebrate an open air mass in Paris today with an estimated 200 thousand people expected to attend. He will also visit the French Institute before departing for Lourdes to mark the 150 Anniversary of the Apparitions there. The Pope ended his first day in country yesterday by greeting those who had gathered outside the Apostolic Nunciature in Paris. Earlier the Holy Father had a very full programme in the French capital celebrating vespers at Notre Dame Cathedral, meeting the leaders of other faiths and Christian traditions and giving a key address on Culture at the College des Bernadins. Philippa Hitchen is in France and has this report. He says the Pope is coming to Lourdes as a pilgrim….