The Vatican has announced the full schedule of liturgical events at which Pope Benedict XVI will preside during Holy Week and the Easter Triduum.On Palm Sunday, April 1, the Holy Father will lead the blessing of palms and the procession into St. Peter's Square, followed by Mass that will include the reading of the Passion. World Youth Day will be observed that same day.
On Holy Thursday morning, April 5, the Pope will concelebrate the Chrism Mass in the Vatican basilica, joined by the cardinals, bishops, and priests of the Rome diocese.
In the evening he will preside at the Mass of the Lord's Supper, in the basilica of St. John Lateran, to commemorate the institution of the Eucharist.
During that ceremony-- which will include the traditional washing of the feet of 12 men-- a collection will be taken up for a special intention chosen by the Roman Pontiff: this year, a medical clinic in Baidoa, Somalia.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Blessed Sacrament will be taken to an altar of repose.
On Good Friday, April 6, the Pontiff will lead an afternoon service consisting of the Liturgy of the Word, veneration of the Cross, and Communion. That evening, in the Roman Coliseum, he will lead the Stations of the Cross, with meditations prepared by Father Gianfranco Ravasi, a Biblical scholar from Milan.
On Saturday night, April 7, the Pope will begin the Easter Vigil ceremony in the vestibule of St. Peter's with the lighting of the Paschal flame, and the procession into the basilica will be followed by the singing of the Exultet and midnight Mass concelebrated by the Pope with senior members of the College of Cardinals.
On Easter morning, April 8, the Pope will return to the Vatican basilica to celebrate Mass at 10:30, followed by his Urbi et Orbi message, delivered from the loggia of the basilica.
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