News Religion

Pope prays with young people at Circus Maximus

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

10 Aug, 2018

Notte Bianca at 19 Rome churches on night of 11 August.

Pope Francis will hold a prayer vigil at Rome's Circus Maximus on the evening of Saturday 11 August ahead of October's Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.

Up to 70,000 Italians aged between 16 and 30 are expected at the Rome event which is entitled Per mille strade verso Roma and is organised in collaboration with the Catholic dioceses of Italy.

The Circus Maximus will open at 13.00 to youths equipped with a pass from their diocese, and Pope Francis is expected to discuss matters of faith with the diocesan groups from 16.30 onwards.

A prayer vigil led by the pontiff is scheduled between 19.45 and 20.30, at which point Pope Francis departs. At 21.30 the Circus Maximus will host a concert featuring Banda Rulli Frulli, Perturbazione, Clementino, Alex Britti and Mirkoeilcane.

Throughout the night of 11 August there will be a "notte bianca" at 19 Roman churches, from S. Gregorio al Celio beside the Circus Maximus, to S. Luigi dei Francesi in the centro storico. This pilgrimage is designed to offer young people the opportunity to dedicate themselves to adoration, confession, reflection and meetings with other dioceses.

On 12 August the gates of St Peter's Square will open at dawn ahead of Mass with Pope Francis at 09.30. For full details of the event, which will lead to road closures in the Circus Maximus area during the weekend, see Chiesa Cattolica Italiana website.