Pope makes unannounced, "private pilgrimage" visit to Marian shrine

Published: 2005-10-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI paid an unannounced visit Oct. 29 to a Marian shrine about 30 miles outside Rome. The pope left the Vatican shortly before 9 a.m. for the drive to the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Graces in Mentorella, northeast of Rome. After the pope returned in the afternoon, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, Vatican spokesman, announced that the pope had made a "private pilgrimage" to the shrine and celebrated Mass there. Pope Benedict's pilgrimage occurred on the 27th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's first visit to the shrine as pope.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .