Pope to travel to Italy's earthquake-struck region

Pope Benedict XVI will visit the earthquake zone of Emilia Romagna on Tuesday 26 June.

The Vatican press office announced the Pope will travel by helicopter and he is scheduled to land
in San Marino di Carpi near Modena where he will be greeted by the Prefect Franco Gabrielli, Head of the Department of Civil Protection.

By bus Benedict will then visit Rovereto in Novi, where a parish priest died in the collapse of his church.

Civil authorities, bishops, priests, local businessmen and the faithful will welcome him.

Pope Benedict is also scheduled to address those present before returning to the Vatican shortly after 1pm.

Two strong earthquakes struck Emilia Romagna last month killing 27 people, and leaving thousands homeless as well as causing billions of euros in damage.

Aftershocks have continued to rock the region.

Pope Benedict XVIth has sent messages and words of comfort and prayer to the earthquake victims on various occasions since the first quake. He has made a donation of 500,000 euros.