Vatican City, Jun 2, 2010 / 18:55 pm
Pope Benedict's 16th international journey will take him to Cyprus on Friday. It is hoped that his visit will bring a “wind of peace” to the nation.
The most anticipated event of the three-day tour is Sunday Mass on the occasion of the publication of the Instrumentum laboris for next October's Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops.
Following his arrival on June 4 to the city of Paphos, there will be an ecumenical celebration at the church of Agia Kiriaki Chrysopolitissa. After the first day, all events will take place in the capital city of Nicosia.
Saturday, June 5, the busiest day of the trip, will see the Pope take part a variety of events: a meeting with the president, civil authorities and diplomats, followed by an encounter with the Cypriot Catholic community and then a courtesy visit to His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus. The day's program ends with the celebration of Mass with priests, religious, deacons, catechists and representatives of Cyprian ecclesial movements.