Pope Francis arrives in Verona, on his second apostolic trip to Italy in 2024

Pope Francis has arrived in Verona this Saturday, May 18, to make his second apostolic trip within Italy in 2024, in which he will participate in the Arena for Peace 2024 forum, visit a prison and celebrate Holy Mass.

As on his recent visit to Venice, the Pontiff traveled by helicopter from the Vatican, where he departed at 6:30 a.m. (local time). Upon landing in a square near the city’s Bentegodi Stadium, the Pope was received by the Bishop of Verona, Bishop Domenico Pompili; the president of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia; the prefect of Verona, Demetrio Martino; and the mayor of the city, Damiano Tommasi.

From there he will travel to the Basilica of San Zenón, patron saint of the city, where he will hold a meeting with priests and consecrated persons on the occasion of the 1650th anniversary of the bishop’s death and will offer his first address. Upon leaving the temple, Pope Francis will greet the children and young people gathered in the square next to the temple.

Next, he will travel to the place where the Arena for Peace 2024 meeting is being held, under the motto “Justice and peace kiss”, where the Pontiff is expected to answer some questions from the participants.

Around noon Pope Francis will go to the Montorio prison, where he will be received by the director of the penitentiary establishment, Francesca Gioieni and the director of the Penitentiary Police Mario Piramide.

The Pontiff will address those present – inmates, police and volunteers – before sharing the food with the inmates.

The last act of Pope Francis’ intense agenda for this day will be the celebration of the Holy Mass at the Bentegodi Stadium. At the end, he will travel back to the Vatican by helicopter, where he is scheduled to land at 6:15 p.m.