Palermo (gro) An open-air Holy Mass on the Foro Italico against the monumental backdrop of the old city will be the highlight of the Pope’s visit to Palermo next Sunday, October 3. Benedict XVI is coming to the island metropolis at the invitation of the Sicilian priesthood. Palermo is now gearing up for a huge rush. Six special trains and hundreds of omnibuses will be used to bring the faithful from the island provinces, Messina, Catania Syracuse, Ragusa, Agrigento, Enna, Marsala and Trapani to the island capital.
Fair on the open space between the sea and the Kalsa
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The Holy Father will remain in Palermo throughout Sunday. After the morning service in the vast green open space between the seashore and Kalsa, the palace district of the metropolis that dates back to Arab times, Pope Benedict will meet with priests and seminarians in the cathedral on Via Vittorio Emmanuele in the afternoon to discuss with them a “courageous education of hope.” At 6 p.m., a youth festival with a similar theme will begin in Piazza Politeama in the center of the city.
Meeting with the youth
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The two days that precede the papal visit,are entirely dedicated to the encounter of the priesthood with the youth. In 20 churches, young people, boys and girls from all the dioceses of Sicily will have the opportunity to meet their bishops personally and to talk with them.The initiative, which is under the motto “Sources of Light”, was taken by the Sicilian Bishops’ Conference. The focus is on faith, family and education.