Pope’s schedule for WYD 2013 Released

Vatican City, 07 May 2013: The Vatican has announced on Tuesday the details of Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Rio de Janeiro to attend the 28^th World Youth Day scheduled for July 22 to 29. Accordingly the Pontiff will leave for Rio de Janeiro on the morning of Monday, July 22. On his arrival at International Airport Galeão, he will receive the official reception at 16.00 hrs. An hour later the Pope will attend the welcome ceremony in the Palace Garden Guanabara in Rio de Janeiro, and will address them. In the same evening the Pope will pay a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic.

On Wednesday afternoon, July 24, he will travel to the Shrine of Our Lady of Conception Aparecida, reaching there next day. The Pope will celebrate the Holy Mass at10:30 in the Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of Aparecida. Later he will have lunch with the Bishops of the Province and seminarians in the Seminary, and then will return to Rio de Janeiro. The Pope will then visit the hospital Sao Francisco de Assisi in Rio.

On Thursday, July 25, the Holy Father will receive the keys of the city followed by his blessing of the flags of Olympics in the City Palace in Rio de Janeiro. He will then visit the community of Varginha in Rio and address them.

On Friday, July 26, Pope Francis will hear confessions of some young people attending the 28^th WYD. He also will have a brief encounter with some young prisoners, followed by Angelus Domini from the central balcony of Archbishop’s Palace. He will greet the Organizing Committee of the XXVIII World Youth Day, and the benefactors. In the evening he will lead the WAY OF THE CROSS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE on the waterfront of Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.

On Saturday, July 27 the Pope will have Holy Mass with the bishops of 28^th WYD, the priests, Religious and seminarians in the Cathedral of San Sebastiano in Rio de Janeiro. In the evening Pope will have a prayer vigil with the youth Campus Fidei in Guaratiba.

On Sunday, July 28, Pope Francis offer Mass for the XXVIII World Youth Day in Campus fidei in Guaratiba. In the evening he will bid farewell from Sumaré Residence in Rio de Janeiro, followed by farewell ceremony at the International Airport Galeão. He will arrive in the Vatican on Monday, July 29.