Pope plans May 1 pilgrimage to Marian shrine

(April 25, 2006) Pope Benedict XVI will make a personal pilgrimage to a Marian shrine outside Rome on May 1, to begin the month traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Vatican announced on April 24 that the Holy Father plans to travel to the shrine of the Madonna of Divine Love, south of Rome on the evening of the first day in May. This will be the Pope's second private pilgrimage to a Marian shrine in his own Rome diocese.