Pope to travel to Fatima, Portugal, asks for prayers

 Pope Benedict XVI is traveling to Portugal, 10 years after John Paul II beatified Jacinta and Francisco, two of the three young shepherds in Fatima.

Before leading the recitation of the Regina Coeli at the Vatican on Sunday, the Holy Father asked for prayers for his May 11-14 trip to Portugal.

Reviewing briefly his itinerary which will include stops in Lisbon and Portugal's "second city" of Porto, the Holy Father said that the main destination of his trip is Fatima, for the 10th anniversary of the beatification of the shepherd children Jacinta and Francesco.

He noted that it will be his first visit to this Marian sanctuary as Pope and invited all people to accompany him for the pilgrimage, "participating actively with prayer."

The Holy Father said that "with a single heart and a single soul we invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary for the Church, in particular for priests and for peace in the world."



Related Information:

Pope Benedict to deliver 'intense' message during Fatima visit
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