Vatican City, Oct 26, 2008 / 08:48 am
After celebrating Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for the conclusion of the Bishops’ Synod, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday spoke before thousands of the faithful in St. Peter’s Square and announced his planned trip to Africa.
The Holy Father recalled that during the Mass he had reported that Rome would host the Second Special Assembly of the Synod for Africa next October. Pope Benedict then proceeded to announce that next March he plans to visit Cameroon, to present the working document for the African Synod, and Angola, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the country’s evangelization.
“If God so wishes, in March I intend to travel to Africa,” he said.
Pope Benedict concluded his remarks by entrusting the sufferings of Christians in Iraq and India and all personal intentions, including the Synod for Africa, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.