In preparation for the Pope’s apostolic visit to Cyprus this June, the Cypriot communications team for the visit has launched a new website to both prepare for the visit and report on it as it happens. The Pope’s journey will take place from June 4-6.
Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cyprus will be the first official papal visit to the island, which lies in the Mediterranean Sea south of Turkey.
The Italian bishops' news agency SIR reports that the visit is being highly anticipated within the Catholic community.
There are between 7,000 and 13,000 Roman Catholics on the island and about 1,000 Maronite Catholics.
The website dedicated to the visit, www.papalvisit.org.cy, is a partner to that of the Maronite Eparchy of Cyprus.
On the site, viewers can learn about entry requirements, the languages spoken in Cyprus, the local currency, transportation and the medical system.
Greek and Turkish are the predominant languages on the island, though English is spoken widely and French and German are readily spoken by those within the tourist industry.
Statistics on the local Catholic community, as well as biographical information on the Pope are also available.
“The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Cyprus will be a great opportunity to promote human and Christian principles and values, based on freedom, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace,” declares the site’s welcome page.SIC: CNA