As you will see below, the Vatican today published the itinerary of Pope Francis’ September 12 to 15 trip to Budapest, Hungary and to Slovakia. It seems to be a jam-packed few days and hopes are high that the Holy Father will be returned to full health by departure day. I counted about 25 events, including plane trips, meetings, and various liturgies in three and a half days! (I have left the upper case references in the original report).
POPE SENDS CONDOLENCES FOR VICTIMS OF MARKET EXPLOSION IN IRAQ
The following telegram was sent Tuesday afternoon in Pope Francis’ name by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq, Archbishop Mitja Leskovar:
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life in the explosion at the al-Wuhailat market in Baghdad and he sends condolences to the families and friends of those who have died. Entrusting their souls to the mercy of Almighty God, His Holiness renews his fervent prayers that no act of violence will diminish the efforts of those who strive to promote reconciliation and peace in Iraq.” (AFP photo on Vatican media)
ITINERARY FOR PAPAL TRIP TO HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA
Following is the itinerary for the Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to Budapest on the occasion of the concluding Holy Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, and to Slovakia, (12-15 September 2021):
Sunday 12 September 2021 ROME – BUDAPEST – BRATISLAVA
06:00 Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport for Budapest 07:45 Arrival at Budapest International Airport
07:45 OFFICIAL WELCOME at Budapest International Airport
08:45 MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC AND THE PRIME MINISTER at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest
09:15 MEETING WITH THE BISHOPS at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest Address of the Holy Father
10:00 MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND SOME JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN HUNGARY at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest Address of the Holy Father 11:30 HOLY MASS at Heroes’ Square in Budapest Homily of the Holy Father Angelus
14:30 FAREWELL CEREMONY at Budapest International Airport 14:40 Departure by airplane for Bratislava
15:30 Arrival at Bratislava International Airport
15:30 OFFICIAL WELCOME at Bratislava International Airport
16:30 ECUMENICAL MEETING at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava Address of the Holy Father
17:30 PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava
Monday 13 September 2021 BRATISLAVA
09:15 WELCOME CEREMONY at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava
09:30 COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC in the “Golden Hall” of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava
10:00 MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS in the garden of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava Address of the Holy Father
10:45 MEETING WITH BISHOPS, PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS, CONSECRATED PERSONS, SEMINARIANS, CATECHISTS at the Cathedral of Saint Martin in Bratislava
16:00 PRIVATE VISIT TO THE “BETHLEHEM CENTER” in Bratislava
16:45 MEETING WITH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY at Rybné námestie Square in Bratislava Address of the Holy Father
18:00 VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENT at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava
18:15 VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava
Tuesday 14 September 20 –BRATISLAVA – KOŠICE – PREŠOV – KOŠICE – BRATISLAVA
08:10 Departure by airplane for Košice
09:00 Arrival at Košice Airport
10:30 BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM PRESIDED BY THE HOLY FATHER in the square of the Mestská športová hala in Prešov Homily of the Holy Father
16:00 MEETING WITH THE ROMA COMMUNITY at Luník IX district in Košice Greeting of the Holy Father
17:00 MEETING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE at Lokomotiva Stadium in Košice Address of the Holy Father
18:30 Departure by airplane for Bratislava 19:30 Arrival at Bratislava International Airport
Wednesday 15 September 2021 BRATISLAVA – ŠAŠTIN – BRATISLAVA – ROME
09:10 MOMENT OF PRAYER WITH THE BISHOPS at the National Shrine in Šaštin
10:00 HOLY MASS on the esplanade of the National Shrine in Šaštin Homily of the Holy Father
13:30 FAREWELL CEREMONY at Bratislava International Airport
13:45 Departure by airplane for Rome
15:30 Arrival at Rome/Ciampino International Airport
Joan's Rome 