Pope confirms Sept. visit itinerary

Pope Benedict XVI will come to Prague Sept. 26 and stay in the country for two additional days, according to an itinerary released July 3 by the Czech Bishops' Conference in Velehrad.

Keeping with a hallmark of his papacy - a reassertion of tradition and ceremony - Benedict XVI will start his visit at the Church of the Virgin Mary Victorious in Prague, home of the Infant Jesus statuette, which some claim is the source of blessings and miraculous healings. The church also holds a copy of the statue of the Virgin Mary from Aparecida, patron saint of Brazil.

"I think the pope wanted to highlight that even though his visit is an official one as head of the Vatican, it has a strong pastoral character," said Prague Bishop Václav Malý, the coordinator of the pope's visit in the Czech Republic, of the trip's first stop.

Prague's 22 district mayors will greet the pontiff in front of the church, and, later that day, he will have a series of meetings with leading politicians and public personalities, including President Václav Klaus.

On Sunday, Sept. 27, the pope will head to Brno to conduct a mass at Tuřany Airport.

Martina Jandlová of the Diocese of Brno said the site was the only place capable of holding the expected 100,000 to 150,000 worshipers.

"We are really looking forward to the pope's visit. It is the first time since 1977 that a pope has been to our city," she said.

On his final day in the Czech Republic, which falls on St. Wenceslas Day, honoring the patron saint of Bohemia, the pope is to celebrate a mass in Stará Boleslav, north of Prague, where St. Wenceslas died in the 10th century.

Benedict XVI's visit poses significant logistical difficulties and myriad security challenges. Malý has a 15-strong team of coordinators, and security is to be handled by the state security services and the Military Office at Prague Castle.

"A high responsibility comes with his visit because, while security is a priority, we cannot isolate him from all the people from the Christian community who want to meet him," said Malý.

Sarah Borufka can be reached at
sborufka@praguepost.com