Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Pope to visit Genoa in 2017

Pope Francis will visit Genoa and Milan, Italy, next year, the Vatican has announced.

The Pope will travel to Milan in late March, then to Genoa in late May. 

The Holy Father had been scheduled to visit each of the Italian cities this year, but cancelled those plans, citing his crowded schedule for the jubilee year.

Both Milan and Genoa are led by influential cardinals who are now close to retirement age. Milan’s Cardinal Angelo Scola—who was regarded by many observers as a leading candidate for the papacy in 2013—will celebrate his 75th birthday in November, and under the terms of canon law will be required to submit his resignation. 

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, the president of the Italian bishops’ conference and of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe, will turn 75 early in 2018.