Holy See releases details of Pope's Apostolic Journey to Egypt

(Vatican Radio)  The Holy See Press Office on Monday released the details and schedule for Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to Egypt, set to take place on 28-29 April.

Pope Francis will arrive at Cairo International Airport around 14:00 on Friday where he will be welcomed at the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis before making a courtesy visit to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.

He will then address participants in the International Conference on Peace before visiting His Holiness Pope Tawadros II.

On Saturday, the Holy Father celebrates Mass and then has lunch with Egyptian bishops. 

His last event in Egypt is a prayer meeting with clergy, religious men and women, and seminarians.

The full programme of the Pope's visit is below:

Friday 28 April 2017

10.45   Departure by air from Rome-Fiumicino airport for Cairo

14.00   Arrival at Cairo International Airport

OFFICIAL WELCOME

WELCOME CEREMONY in the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis

COURTESY VISIT TO THE GRAND IMAM OF AL-AZHAR

ADDRESS TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PEACE

16.40   Meeting with the Authorities

COURTESY VISIT TO HIS HOLINESS POPE TAWADROS II

Saturday 29 April 2017

10.00   HOLY MASS

12.15   Lunch with Egyptian bishops and the Papal entourage

15.15   Prayer meeting with the clergy, religious and seminarians

FAREWELL CEREMONY

17.00   Departure by air from Cairo International Airport

20.30   Arrival at Rome-Ciampino Airport

Time zone:

Rome: +2 h UTC

Cairo: +2 h UTC