Vatican City, Oct 15, 2016 / 04:11 am
After having to postpone the trip earlier this year, because of an over-full schedule for the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis will travel to Milan on March 25, 2017, the Vatican announced Saturday.
"This visit of the Holy Father is a sign of affection and esteem for the Ambrosian Church, the city of Milan and the whole of Lombardy," Milan's Archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Scola, said in a statement about the visit.
"We want to express to the Pope our gratitude because he will come to confirm us in the faith. We live from now on waiting for the Pope in prayer, in preparation for this great gift," Cardinal Scola said.
The Vatican announced back on Dec. 10, 2015, that due to Pope Francis' busy schedule during the Jubilee of Mercy he had decided to postpone his May 7, 2016 visit to the Archdiocese of Milan until the following year.