Pope Benedict XVI Plans Trip to Lourdes

On Friday September 12, Pope Benedict XVI will start his apostolic trip to France for the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes. On Saturday September 13th, he will celebrate mass on the Esplanade des Invalides, then travel to the Church of the Sacred Heart and the Cachot (Soubirous family home), in Lourdes. He will also visit the Grotto and is scheduled to close the torchlight Marian procession of the esplanade of the Shrine of Lourdes. September 14th, on the Meadow in Lourdes, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass for the 150th anniversary of the apparitions. On Monday the 15th of September the Pope will celebrate mass for the sick in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, then he will board a plane and return home to Rome that evening.