Pope Benedict’s Visit to Paris and Lourdes - September 12-15

Pope Benedict XVI visits France this weekend with a busy schedule which includes celebrating the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes.  Pilgrims and visitors in Paris or Lourdes during this time should be prepared for crowds as well as traffic delays and disruption.

The Pope flies from Rome to Paris Orly airport on Friday, September 12 where he will meet with President Sarkozy and other VIPs and attend Notre-Dame Cathedral in the evening. On Saturday the Pope will make appearances in Paris during the day before flying to Lourdes in the afternoon to visit the church of the Sacred Heart and Soubirous family house and Grotto, followed by a candlelight procession in the evening.  The Pope will be in Lourdes for Mass on Sunday and on Monday he makes several more visits to locations in Lourdes before returning to Rome.

To avoid unpleasant scenes and disappointment, pilgrims and visitors are reminded that ’healing waters’ from the shrine are still considered contraband and are likely to be confiscated from hand luggage on planes.

Visit our Travel Guide for France, which contains a link to the Foreign Office website for important travel advice and information as well as additional links regarding Lourdes.  For a Travel Insurance quote click here.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 at 5:09 pm and is filed under Europe, Travel News .

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