Pope makes pilgrimage to Loreto shrine
October 04, 2012
Pope Benedict XVI made a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Loreto on October 4, a week before the opening of the Synod of Bishops.
The Pope’s pilgrimage replicates a trip by Blessed John XXIII to the same shrine, a week before the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962. Just as the “Good Pope John” traveled to Loreto to entrust the Council to the Virgin Mary, Pope Benedict has indicated that he wished to invoke the Virgin’s protection for the Synod, which will discuss the New Evangelization.
The Holy Father made his trip to Loreto by train, embarking at the Vatican’s own station. Coincidentally, the first Roman Pontiff to use that station was Blessed John XXIII.
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