(February 27, 2010) The Vatican team responsible for organizing security and logistics
for Pope Benedict XVI's international trips ended a three-day visit to Portugal on
Thursday. According to the official Website of the papal visit to Portugal, set for
May 11-14, a team led by Alberto Gasbarri met at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon
with members of the organizing committee of the visit, headed by Auxiliary Bishop
Carlos Azevedo of Lisbon. The Vatican group then held a working session in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs with representatives of the offices of protocol and security. On
Wednesday, the team travelled to Fatima and Oporto, where it met with those in charge
locally of the organization and security of the visit. The master of papal liturgical
ceremonies, Monsignor Guido Marini, also plans to be in Portugal from March 8-10,
to visit the venues where liturgical ceremonies will take place during Pope Benedict
XVI's visit. The prelate will participate in the preparation of the celebrations and
will attend some of the rehearsals. The Pope will celebrate Mass in Lisbon on May
11, and on May 12 will travel to Fatima. There he will visit the Chapel of the Apparitions
and preside at vespers, rosary and procession at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope's secretary of state, will preside at the Mass.
On May 13, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass in Fatima. Before leaving Portugal,
the Pope will visit Oporto and celebrate Mass there on May 14.