French bishops announce pope to visit Paris, Lourdes in September

Published: 2008-04-29

PARIS (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI will visit France Sept. 12-15, spending two days in Paris before going to Lourdes to participate in events surrounding the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions to St. Bernadette Soubirous. The French bishops announced April 28 that Pope Benedict would arrive in Paris Sept. 12, be welcomed by top government officials, then address a gathering of intellectuals and artists representing "the world of culture." Later that day, he is scheduled to preside over an evening prayer service with priests, deacons, religious and seminarians in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, then address young people who will gather in the square outside the landmark. The pope will celebrate Mass Sept. 13 on the lawn of Les Invalides, a complex originally built in the 17th century as a hospital and home for wounded war veterans. The French bishops also said the pope hoped to meet in Paris with representatives of other Christian churches and with members of the French Jewish and Muslim communities. Pope Benedict will fly to Lourdes the afternoon of Sept. 13, they said.

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