Pope's Pilgrimage to Savona and Genoa

(08 May 08 - RV) The programme for Pope Benedict XVI’s pastoral visit to the Italian cities of Savona and Genoa was released today. The Holy Father will travel to the North Western cities on May 17th and 18th.
On Saturday, 17 May, will begin his two day trip by visiting the shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Savona.
After visiting the shrine, Pope Benedict XVI will travel on to the Piazza del Popolo in Savona where, at 5:45pm, he will concelebrate Holy Mass and give the homily. After the celebration he will go to the bishop’s palace to privately visit the rooms of Pope Pius VII. At around 8:15pm he will be taken by helicopter from the old dock of the port of Savona to Genoa where he will land a half hour later at the shrine of the Virgin of the Watch in Ceranesi, the Genoese municipality where he will spend the night.
On Sunday, 18 May, at 9:00am, the Pope will make a private visit to the shrine and will then be taken by helicopter to Genoa where he will arrive at the Villa Gentile Sports Center around 9:40am. From there will be taken by car to the Gaslini Children’s Hospital where he will meet the medical staff and the children who are patients and their families. He will then be taken by car to Piazza Matteotti where, at 11:15am, he will meet with the youth of the area, addressing them and praying the Angelus with them.
From Piazza Matteotti, the Pope will travel to the Genoese Cathedral of St. Lawrence where, at 12:20pm, he will meet with the cathedral’s chapter and consecrated men and women, addressing them. He will then be taken to the Benedict XV Seminary where he will lunch with the Ligurian bishops.
At 4:30pm he will arrive at the Piazza della Vittoria to concelebrate Holy Mass and give the homily. Pope Benedict will return to the Vatican Sunday evening.