Vatican announces papal visit to Verona, Italy April 30, 2024By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will celebrate the vigil of Pentecost in Verona, Italy, the setting for Shakespeare’s play, “Romeo and Juliet.” The Diocese of Verona has chosen “Justice and Peace will Kiss” from Psalm 85 as the theme for the pope’s visit May 18. Publishing the schedule for the trip April 29, the day after Pope Francis visited Venice, the Vatican said he would arrive by helicopter at 8 a.m. and proceed to the Basilica of San Zeno for a meeting with priests and religious before meeting children and young people in the square outside the basilica. In Verona’s famed arena, a Roman amphitheater dating to the year 30 and still used today, mainly for opera performances in the summer, Pope Francis will meet members of popular movements for an encounter titled, “Arena of Peace.” Afterward, the pope will visit staff and detainees at the Montorio prison on the outskirts of town. The facility houses more than 500 prisoners, men and women. Pope Francis is scheduled to have lunch with the inmates. His visit is scheduled to conclude with a Pentecost vigil Mass in the city’s Bentegodi soccer stadium. Read More Vatican News Pope Leo XIV says he’s not losing sleep over AI apocalypse fears Vatican’s top diplomat pushes 2-state solution, ‘limits’ on AI at UN General Assembly Wrapping up France visit, Pope Leo calls on Europe to choose reconciliation over division At Lourdes, a refuge for the ill, Pope Leo stands against assisted dying laws Pope Leo XIV leads thousands in candlelight rosary procession in Lourdes Pope encourages French youth to seek holiness during visually rich stadium vigil Copyright © 2024 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
