Swiss bishops say pope expected to visit in June for youth meeting

Published: 2003-12-04

ROME (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II is expected to visit Switzerland next June for a national meeting of young Catholics, Swiss bishops announced. The pope will preside over a Saturday evening encounter with the young people in Berne June 5 and celebrate Mass the following morning, the bishops said in a statement Dec. 4. The Vatican did not immediately confirm the trip. At present, the 83-year-old pope has no official travel plans, and because of his declining health and mobility many inside the Vatican say his traveling days are winding down. Swiss Catholic leaders last year said they hoped the pope could come to the youth gathering, which is the first in the country's history.

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