Milan archdiocese inviting accommodation for World Meeting of Families

(January 10, 2012) The north Italian archdiocese of Milan which is hosting the Catholic Church’s 7th World Meeting of Families this year is organizing a series of meetings in 8 of its cities and towns to invite families to provide accommodation to guests from around the world. Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to attend this important international gathering from May 29 to June 3 this year. According to organizers, at least 100,000 families would be needed to accommodate the pilgrims in Milan and nearby by cities and towns. The first of the 8 meetings is scheduled for Wednesday in Milan. The archdiocese is encouraging families to generously come forward in this initiative which it said would also help to enrich Italian families with experiences and friendship from the various cultural backgrounds of other countries. The World Meeting of Families which takes place every three years was initiated by Pope John Paul II, and was first hosted in Rome in 1994. Since then Rio de Janeiro, again Rome, Manila, Valencia and Mexico City have hosted it. The event, organized by the local diocese, is coordinated by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family.