Pope Francis headed to Poland

On the occasion of the upcoming World Youth Day, to be held in Krakow, and accepting the invitation issued by the highest Authorities of the Republic and Bishops of Poland, His Holiness Francis will make a pastoral visit to Poland from 27 to 31 July 2016.

According to the provisional schedule which was explained today by the Director of the Vatican Press Centre, the Pope is to arrive Wednesday, July 27, at Krakow-Balice airport.

The first meetings are to be those with the President of the Republic and the Polish bishops. In the evening, the draft program sees the Pope with the archbishop of Krakow, and greeting people from the same window from which Saint John Paul II used to speak to young people.

On Thursday, July 28, Pope Francis is expected to stop in Czestochowa with a private prayer before the icon of the Black Madonna, and offer Mass on the occasion of 1,050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland.

On Friday, July 29, the draft program contains a visit to the extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and in the afternoon the Via Crucis on the Esplanade of Krakow.

On Saturday, July 30, there is to be a visit to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, with the Holy Father passing through the Holy Door and going on to visit the chapel where Saint Faustina Kowalska is buried (the chapel is not in the Shrine, but next door). A Mass with priests, religious and seminarians is to follow. In the Shrine, it is expected that the Pope will hear the confessions of some young people and then have lunch with some of them. In the evening, there is a prayer vigil scheduled with participants in the World Youth Day.

On Sunday, July 31, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in the morning with the sending out of young people. In the afternoon, he will meet with the volunteers, organizing committee, and benefactors of World Youth Day.

Finally, there will be the farewell ceremony and departure for Rome.