Full schedule released for Pope's July trip to Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay
May 08, 2015
The Vatican has released a full schedule for the July visit of Pope Francis to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
The Holy Father will travel to South America on July 5, and return to Rome on July 13.
Leaving Rome on Sunday morning, July 5, the Pope will reach Quito, Ecuador in the mid-afternoon. Only a short welcoming ceremony is scheduled for that day. On Monday he will celebrate Mass at the shrine of Divine Mercy in Guayaquil, then return to Quito for a visit to the presidential palace. On Tuesday, after meeting with the country’s bishops, he will celebrate Mass at Bicentenary Park, then meet with educators and political leaders. The following day he will visit a home for the elderly, run by the Missionaries of Charity, then meet with clergy and religious at the shrine of El Quinche before leaving for Bolivia.
On the advice of doctors, the 78-year-old Pontiff will spend only a few hours in La Paz, Bolivia, the country’s capital city, which is located nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. After meeting with the president and visiting the cathedral, he will fly to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a city just 400 feet above sea level, where he will celebrate Mass on Thursday and participate in the World Meeting of Popular Movements. The next day he will fly to Paraguay.
In Asuncion, Paraguay, the Pope will have a meeting with the president and other political officials on Friday. Then on Saturday he will visit the Ninos de Acota Nu hospital for children, and celebrate Mass at the Marian shrine of Caacupe; he will hold several afternoon meetings with different groups.
On Sunday, July 12, the Pope will celebrate Mass outdoors, then meet with the country’s bishops, and hold a final meeting with young people before boarding an evening flight back to Rome. He is expected to arrive back at the Vatican on Monday afternoon.
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