Pope Francis makes pilgrimage to town of Assisi
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis was making a private pilgrimage to the Italian hill town of Assisi on Thursday afternoon to visit the Porziuncola chapel there to mark the 800th anniversary of the “Pardon of Assisi.”
The Porziuncola is a small chapel housed inside the town’s Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels which St. Francis of Assisi restored and where he founded the Franciscan order at the start of the 13th century.
Pope Francis previously visited Assisi on the feast day of the Italian saint, his namesake, on October the 4th, 2013.
His visit this year coincides with the 800th anniversary of the “Pardon of Assisi” which is the possibility to receive a plenary indulgence during the first two days of August. The tradition began after the saint received a divine vision and asked God to grant an indulgence to all pilgrims who visit the church.
Pope Francis’ Schedule:
The Pope will arrive in Assisi by helicopter around 3.40 pm and will go to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels where he will pray inside the Porziuncola chapel. Afterwards he will offer a reflection on forgiveness taken from the Gospel of Matthew and then meet with Franciscan bishops and superiors before addressing pilgrims gathered in the square outside the basilica.
At 6pm the Pope will be taken by car to the Migaghelli sports field where he will board the helicopter for his flight back to the Vatican.