Program of the Pope's Apostolic Visit to Germany Released

The program of Benedict XVI's apostolic trip to Germany, due to last from 22 to 25 September, was announced today.The Holy Father will depart from Rome's Ciampino airport at 8.15 a.m. on Thursday 22 September, landing at Berlin-Tegel airport at 10.30 a.m.

P>VATICAN CITY,  (VIS) - The program of Benedict XVI's apostolic trip to Germany, due to last from 22 to 25 September, was announced today.

The Holy Father will depart from Rome's Ciampino airport at 8.15 a.m. on Thursday 22 September, landing at Berlin-Tegel airport at 10.30 a.m. The welcome ceremony and the courtesy meeting with Christian Wulff, president of the Federal Republic of Germany, will both take place at Bellevue Castle, official residence of the president.

The Holy Father will then go on to the headquarters of the German Episcopal Conference in Berlin where he will encounter the federal chancellor.

In the afternoon he will visit the federal parliament, then meet representatives of the local Jewish community. At 6.30 p.m. he is due to celebrate Mass in Berlin's Olympic stadium.

At 9 a.m. on Friday 23 September the Holy Father will meet with representatives of the Muslim community at the apostolic nunciature in Berlin, before travelling by plane to the city of Erfurt. There he will visit St. Mary's Cathedral, address representatives of the German Evangelical Church Council and participate in an ecumenical celebration.

That afternoon he will be taken by helicopter to Etzelsbach where at 5.45 p.m. he is due to preside at Marian Vespers at the Wallfahrtskapelle. Following the celebration he will return to Erfurt.

On the morning of Saturday 24 September Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass at Erfurt's Domplatz before travelling by plane to the city of Freiburg im Breisgau where he will make a visit to the local cathedral.

During the afternoon he will go to the local seminary where he will meet first with Helmut Kohl, former chancellor of Germany, then with representatives from the Orthodox Churches, followed by the seminarians themselves and finally the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZDK).

At 7 p.m. he is scheduled to preside at a prayer vigil with young people at the Fair of Freiburg im Breisgau.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday 25 September he will celebrate Mass and pray the Angelus at the airport of Freiburg im Breisgau.

Following Mass the Holy Father will have lunch with members of the German Episcopal Conference. At 4.20 p.m. he will meet with magistrates of the Federal Constitutional Court, then with a group of Catholics active in the Church and society.

Following the departure ceremony at the airport of Lahr, the papal plane will depart for Rome where it is expected to land at Ciampino airport at 8.45 p.m.

Help Keep Catholic Online Free