Pope’s schedule for Holy Week

(April 14, 2011) Vatican’s liturgical Office on Thursday issued Pope Benedict XVI’s Holy Week schedule. It said the Pope will preside over the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square on April 17 morning. On the same day, will also be celebrated Rome’s Diocesan World Day of Youth on the theme” Rooted and grounded in Christ, firm in the faith”. On Holy Thursday, April 21, the Pope will concelebrate morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica with cardinals, bishops and priests, as a sign of the close communion between the universal pastor of the Church and his brothers in the priesthood. The same day, the Pope will preside over the celebration of evening Mass in the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, during which, he will wash the feet of 12 priests. During the ceremony, all those present will be invited to perform an act of charity for the victims of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. The sum collected will be given to the Holy Father at the presentation of gifts during the Offertory.
On Good Friday , April 22, Pope Benedict will preside at the liturgical service in St. Peter’s Basilica. Later, the same evening at Rome’s Coliseum, he will preside over the Stations of the Cross, and conclude by giving his Apostolic blessing. On Easter Sunday the Pope will concelebrate Mass with Cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica and conclude by imparting the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (to the city and the world).