Pope Benedict XVI will make his third visit to Spain August 18-21 to
preside over World Youth Day festivities expected to draw tens of
thousands of pilgrims from around the world, organisers said Tuesday.
The pontiff will arrive in Madrid on the evening of August 18 and will lead a Way of the Cross procession the following day through the streets of the Spanish capital involving youth from 15 nations, World Youth Day director of ceremonies Javier Cremades told a news conference.
The 83-year-old pope will wrap up his visit on August 21 when he will celebrate a two-hour mass at an airfield just outside Madrid that Catholic Church officials expect will draw some two million pilgrims.
SIC: FN/INT'L