.- Officials
at the Vatican are preparing to recognize two major anniversaries
tomorrow. May 13th marks both the 89th anniversary of the first
appearance of the Virgin Mary to 3 children in Fatima, Portugal and the
25th anniversary of the failed assassination attempt on Pope John Paul
II in St. Peter‘s Square.
For the
occasion, a reproduction of the statue which resides at the shrine of
Fatima will travel by helicopter to the Vatican before being part of a
procession--led by Cardinal Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay,
India--along the Via della Conciliazione and into St. Peter’s Basilica.
As the statue
and procession cross St. Peter’s Square, all will stop for a moment at
the spot where John Paul II was shot by Mehmet Ali Agca in 1981.
Some 20,000
pilgrims are expected to gather in Rome for the celebration of the 2nd
annual World Day of Pilgrims, sponsored by the “Opera Romana
Pellegrinaggi.”
Following the
procession, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the Diocese of
Rome will celebrate Mass in the basilica, before attending a
celebration and fireworks show in St. Peter’s Square in memory of the
late Pope.
In honor of the
occasion, the Vatican has also placed a white, marble memorial, bearing
John Paul’s coat of arms and the date of the attempt at the exact
location where the shooting occurred.
Vatican prepares for anniversaries of first Fatima appearance, JPII assassination attempt on Saturday
Related news
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- Letter from John Paul II to Ali Agca never sent, archbishop reveals
- Italian lawmaker calls for reopening of investigation into assassination plot against Pope
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Feb
12
Liturgical Calendar
February 12, 2012
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary TimeAll readings:
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Daily Readings
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