Thursday, July 4, 2013

Getting from here to there

Today, the Vatican Press Office published the details of the Holy Father's travel plans for his upcoming visit to the island of Lampedusa next week.


On Monday morning, July 8, His Holiness will leave the Domus Sanctae Martae at 7:20am local time, and travel by car to Giovan Battista Pastine International airport (Ciampino-CIA).  The planned departure by aircraft from CIA will take place at 8:00am, arriving on the island of Lampedusa at 9:15am local time.

From the airport at Lampedusa, the Pope will travel by car to Cala Pisana, where he will then board a ferry destined for the Port of Lampedusa, accompanied aboard the ferry by fishermen.  Along the way, the Holy Father will toss a crown of flowers into the sea, remembering the many souls who lost their earthly lives while crossing the sea between the island of Lampedusa and the mainlands of Italy and the Northern African nations.

When they arrive at the Port of Favarolo, from the steps of the boat, the Holy Father will greet a group of immigrants who will be waiting at the pier (at approximately 9:30am).

At 10:00am, there will be a special Mass celebrated at the Arena sports field.  The Holy Father will preside at this Eucharistic celebration and will preach the homily.  Once the Mass has been completed, the Holy Father will depart from the Lampedusa airport (around 12:45pm) and fly back to the Ciampino airport; from there he will travel by car to the Vatican.

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