Rome, Italy, May 22, 2009 / 08:13 am
The schedule for Benedict XVI’s May 24 visit to Cassino and Montecassino, Italy was released today. On his agenda are Mass, a visit to the Montecassino abbey and a stop at the nearby Polish military cemetery.
On Sunday, the Holy Father will depart by helicopter from the Vatican at 9 a.m. local time and arrive at Cassino’s Salveti sports ground at 9:30 a.m.
He will then preside over Mass in the city’s Piazza Miranda. After praying the Regina Coeli, he will travel to the Benedictine abbey of Montecassino, making a brief stop on the way at the "Casa della Carita" (House of Charity) in Cassino.
Early that afternoon, the Pope will have lunch at the abbey. Then, after greeting the monastic community, he will celebrate Vespers with Benedictine abbots and communities of Benedictine monks and nuns in the basilica of the abbey.
Following the visit at the abbey, the Holy Father will make a private visit to the Polish military cemetery at Montecassino.
The Pope will depart for the Vatican at 6:30 p.m.