Assisi awaits Pope's arrival

(Vatican Radio)The town of Assisi, in central Italy, is crackling with anticipation ahead of Pope Francis’ first visit to the birthplace of his namesake. Last night, a candlelight prayer vigil in the Piazza in front of Santa Maria degli Angeli filled the town with song in preparation for the Pope’s arrival. Despite a cold and sometimes rainy night, pilgrims from around the world were up early to make the journey up the hill to the old town centre. Security forces and police were insuring safety and good order among the tens of thousands expected for the event.

The Feast of Saint Francis, who is the Patron Saint of Italy, is always an important civic and religious festival, but the pastoral visit of the first Pope to take the name Francis has made the atmosphere here electric. White and yellow banners stream from almost every building, interspersed with the red and blue that represent the colours of Assisi. Images of Francis – both the Saint and the Pope – are everywhere.

Pope Francis busy schedule will take him around the whole city as he visits the most important sites connected to the life of “the Little Poor Man” of Assisi. In the meantime, the citizens of Assisi, with the pilgrims who have gathered to celebrate the feast, eagerly await his arrival.