Sunday Catholic Roundup

"I'm very happy because the pope has accepted by initiation to visit the Holy Land. The pope will be an honorable guest and is accepted by all parts of the nation. This is an exciting and important event, from which the spirit of peace and hope is blowing." Israeli President Shimon Peres

The Jerusalem Post reports:

Pope Benedict XVI will visit Israel between March 8 and 15, the leader of the Catholic church confirmed in Sunday's mass at St. Peter's in the Vatican.

In his Sunday Mass this afternoon, Pope Benedict said, "From May 8th-15th, I will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to ask the Lord, visiting the places sanctified by his passage on the earth, for his precious blessing of unity and peace for the Middle East and for all of mankind. I am counting on the spiritual support of all of you, and may God accompany me, support me, and bless with his Grace all those who I meet on my way."

President Peres has instructed the Director-General of the Office of the President, Ms. Efrat Duvdevani, to accelerate the preparations for the Pope's visit with all of the relevant government ministries.

Those ministries, together with the police, the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) are gearing up for the visit and have drawn up a wide-ranging plan to prepare for the occasion, which is expected to cost the state NIS 43 million. (Read entire article)





Source: Apostleship of Prayer




Source: Vatican You Tube

Plus, EWTN has a press release regarding their TV coverage during the Holy Father's March visit to Angola and Cameroon:

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of the Pope’s visit to Cameroon and Angola March 17 to March 23.

“Catholicism in Africa remains strong, as evidenced by the many vocations from that continent,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “However, a visit by the Holy Father can be expected to strengthen an already strong local Church, and to result in an increase in Catholic laity as well as in religious vocations.”

In addition to Masses and Vespers, the Pope’s schedule includes meetings with the bishops and the President of each country; a meeting with Cameroon’s large Muslim Community at the Apostolic Nunciature, a meeting with the sick at a local hospital, a meeting with Africa’s young people, a meeting with those who represent various ecclesial movements, and more.What follows is a schedule of the live events: (For the complete schedule, including encore times, please go to www.ewtn.com/papalAfrica09.)




Hat Tip: Da Mihi Animas