Pope to Hold Festival with French Youth

During his upcoming visit to France in September, Pope Benedict XVI will be participating in a Youth Festival, according to the Bishops' Conference of France.

PARIS (CNA) - The Bishops' Conference of France announced that during Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to the country September 12-15, a "Youth Festival" will be held with the Pontiff to mark the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary at Lourdes.

The Youth Festival will include three vigils in Lourdes with the Holy Father. On Friday, September 12, at vigil/concert organized by the Emmanuel movement will take place at 9 p.m.

The next day at 11 p.m., an adoration prayer vigil for young people will take place, with a special talk by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, France.

On Sunday, September 14, at 9 p.m., another concert vigil will be organized by the Community of St. John.

The bishops' conference estimates that some 250,000 people, many of them young people, will attend the closing Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI together with hundreds of bishops and priests.

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