Vatican releases schedule for Pope's Fatima visit

(Vatican Radio)  The Vatican has released the schedule of Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to Fatima in Portugal, due to take place on 12-13 May.

The Holy Father will arrive on Friday by plane at the Monte Real air base in the afternoon, where he will be welcomed by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

He will then travel by helicopter to the Stadium of Fatima before travelling by car to the Fatima Shrine. Whilst there, the Pope will pray at the Chapel of the Apparitions, greet pilgrims present, and recite the Holy Rosary with them.

On Saturday, Pope Francis will meet with Prime Minister António Costa at the “Nossa Senhora do Carmo” House. Afterwards, he will travel to the Basilica of “Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Fatima” to celebrate Holy Mass.

His final stop is a lunch with the bishops of Portugal at the “Nossa Senhora do Carmo” House. Pope Francis will then return to Rome via Rome's Ciampino Airport.

The full schedule of the Pope's visit is below:

Friday 12 May 2017

14:00     Departure by air from Rome Fiumicino airport for Monte Real.

16:20     Arrival at the air base of Monte Real:  Welcome ceremony.

16:35     Private meeting with the President of the Republic in the Monte Real air base.

16:55     Visit to the air base chapel.

17:15     Transfer by helicopter to the stadium of Fatima.

17:35     Arrival at the Fatima stadium and transfer by open vehicle to the Shrine.

18:15     Visit to the Chapel of the Apparitions:  Prayer of the Holy Father.

21:30     Blessing of the Candles from the Chapel of the Apparitions:  Greetings from the Holy Father & Recital of the Holy Rosary.

Saturday 13 May 2017

09:10     Meeting with the Prime Minister at the “Nossa Senhora do Carmo” House.

09:40     Visit to the Basilica of “Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Fatima”.

10:00     Holy Mass at the churchyard of the Shrine:  Holy Father’s homily & Holy Father’s greetings to the sick.

12:30     Lunch with bishops of Portugal at the “Nossa Senhora do Carmo” House.

14:45     Farewell ceremony in the Monte Real air base.

15:00     Departure by air from the Monte Real air base, destined for Rome.

19:05     Arrival at Rome Ciampino airport.