Vatican releases programme of Pope's first visit to Africa

(January 26, 2009) The Vatican on Monday confirmed Pope Benedict XVI’s first pastoral visit to Africa saying he will travel to Cameroun and Angola, March 17-23. The Holy See’s press office issued the Pope’s programme saying the Pope will fly to Cameroun capital, Yaounde on March 17, where a welcome ceremony will take place at the airport. He will stay in Cameroun till March 20, during which he is also scheduled to meet a delegation of the country’s Muslim community. He will arrive in the Angolan capital, Luanda, on March 21 and meet country’s Catholic movements for the promotion of women. In both the countries the Pope will celebrate public Masses for the faithful. The aim of the African visit is to release the working document of the Special Synod of Bishops for Africa, which will take place in the Vatican later this year in October.