Rome, Italy, Mar 7, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Bishops Conference of Switzerland has announced the possibility of a visit by John Paul II to the country to take part in Switzerland’s first national Catholic youth conference, which will take place June 5-6.
The Swiss bishops’ announcement is another in a series of announcements concerning possible papal trips to Poland, Austria and Mexico.
“Since Pope John Paul II is studying the possibility of accepting the invitation of the Swiss bishops to visit Berna on June 5-6, a Vatican delegation headed up by Archbishop Renato Boccardo, organizer of the Holy Father’s travels, visited Switzerland on February 26 and 27,” said the bishops.
Moreover, they underscored that “if the Holy Father comes to Berna, he will meet with young people on Saturday afternoon during the first national Catholic youth conference, and on Sunday he will celebrate a Mass to which everyone, adults, young people and children will be welcome.”
“The bishops cordially invite all Catholics in Switzerland to come together in Berna on Sunday, June 6, to be with John Paul II and to give witness to the young people meeting in Berna,” the statement adds.
The official website of Swiss Catholic young people is www.rise-up.ch