Pope Francis to visit Barbiana, Bozzolo in June

FLORENCE, ITALY – Pope Francis will make a private visit to the Italian towns of Bozzolo and Barbiana on June 20, 2017 to pray at the tombs of don Primo Mazzolari and don Lorenzo Milani, Vatican radio reported.

Bozzolo is in the Diocese of Cremona and Barbiana is in the Diocese of Florence. A communique from the Holy See press office says the visit «will take place in a private rather than an official form». The Holy Father recently dedicated a video message to Don Lorenzo Milani.

The full programme of the Pope’s visit on Tuesday, 20 June:

7.30  Departure by helicopter from the Vatican heliport;

9.00  Arrival at the sports field of Bozzolo, Mantua; the Holy Father is welcomed by His Excellency Msgr. Antonio Napolioni, bishop of Cremona and the Mayor of Bozzolo. Parish of San Pietro: prayer at the tomb of Don Primo Mazzolari (1890-1959). The Holy Father will give a commemorative address to the faithful present in the Church;

10.30  Departure from the sports field of Bozzolo;

11.15 Arrival at the forecourt in front of the Church of Barbiana; the Holy Father is welcomed by His Eminence Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, archbishop of Florence and the Mayor of Vicchio, Florence. Private visit to the cemetery, and prayer at the tomb of Don Lorenzo Milani (1923-1967), on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his death.

In the Church: encounter with the living disciples of Don Milani and brief visit to the vicarage in the adjacent garden: the Holy Father gives a commemorative address, in the presence of the disciples, to a group of priests from the diocese and some young people housed in family residences (a total of around 200 people).

12.30  Departure from Barbiana;

13.15  Return to the Vatican.