Pope to Visit Venice in May 2011

The faithful in the lagoon city of Venice are already filled with joyful anticipation: the Pope’s visit to Venice and Aquileia on May 7–8 is fast approaching. Church representatives and the faithful are already preparing for the Holy Father’s visit.

The Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Angelo Scola, described the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI, whose motto is “Strengthen our faith,” as the most important day of the year for all the faithful in Venice. More than a quarter of a century has passed since the last papal visit to Venice, by Pope John Paul II. It has been almost 40 years since his predecessor, Paul VI, visited. It is not only the people of Venice who are eagerly looking forward to the long-awaited visit of the Holy Father: many faithful from across Europe are expected to travel to Venice for the papal visit and stay in the city’s hotels and holiday apartments.

Pope Benedict XVI will first stop in Aquileia during his trip to Veneto, where he will meet with those responsible for the assembly of all the northeastern churches. This assembly will be held in Aquileia at Pentecost 2012. After the talks, the Pope will travel to Venice for the Eucharistic celebration and the Angelus. The head of the Roman Catholic Church is also scheduled to meet with church representatives in the city at St. Mark’s Basilica and to grant an audience to representatives from culture, the arts and business at the Basilica della Salute. Finally, Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Venice will include the inauguration of the newly renovated library of the Studium Generale Marcianum in the chapel of the SS. Trinita. In addition, for the Pope’s visit, the Bishops’ Conference has selected a commission of representatives from various communities and dioceses to represent Veneto’s 3,500 parishes during the Pope’s visit to Veneto