(Aug.18,2009): In preparation Pope Benedict XVI’s 3-day pastoral visit to the
Czech Republic beginning 27 September, the country’s priests, teachers and civil
authorities will hold a conference on Sat. 19 September, a week ahead of the Papal
visit. The announcement was made on Monday by David Macek, Democrat Deputy Head.
He said the Conference is to help prepare the Czech faithful for the Pope’s visit,
the first-ever to the South Moravian Region and Brno. Macek said speakers at the
Conference will speak on Pope Benedict’s recent social encyclical "Caritas
in Veritate” or “Charity in Truth, as it will be the Pontiff’s first foreign visit
after the publication of this very important encyclical. He added that organisers
expect about 1000 participants at the conference to be held at Brno Exhibition grounds.
During his 3 day visit, the Pope will spend Sat. Sept. 26 in Prague. On Sunday,
Sept. 27 he will celebrate Mass at Brno-Turany Airport, for which organisers say
some 69.000 people have reserved seats. On Monday, 28 Sept., the Pope will pay
tribute to the memory of St. Wenceslas, Patron saint of the Czechs in Stara Boleslav
in Central Bohemia, and meet youth.