The Vatican has announced plans for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to three Italian towns closely connected with the history of monasticism. The Holy Father will travel to Arezzo, La Verna and Sansepolcro on May 13.
Traveling by helicopter first to Arezzo, the Pope will celebrate Mass there and lunch with the bishops of the Tuscany region before continuing his trip with a short flight to La Verna.
There he will visit the Chapel of the Wounds, favored by St. Francis of Assisi, and meet with Franciscan friars and Poor Clare nuns.
A final leg of the trip will take him to Sansepolcro, and the cathedral that is home to the famous crucifix known as the Santo Volto (Holy Face).
He will return to the Vatican later that Sunday evening.