Program Set for the Pope’s Cuba Visit

HAVANA TIMES, Jan 31 — The Vatican has released the official program for the visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Cuba on March 26-28, 2012.

Monday (March 26, 2012):
09:30 – Departure from the international airport in Guanajuato, Mexico, to Santiago de Cuba.
14:00 – Welcoming ceremony at the Antonio Maceo International Airport in Santiago de Cuba. Address by the Holy Father.
17:30 – Holy Mass to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre figurine, in Antonio Maceo Square in Santiago de Cuba. Pope’s homily.

Tuesday (March 27, 2012):
09:30: Visit to the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre outside of Santiago de Cuba.
10:30: Departure from the Antonio Maceo International Airport in Santiago de Cuba en route to Havana.
12:00 – Arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana.
17:30 – Courtesy visit to the president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers (President Raul Castro) in the Palace of the Revolution in Havana.
19:15 – Meeting and dinner with Cuban bishops and the papal entourage at the Vatican’s embassy in Havana.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012
09:00 – Holy Mass at Revolution Square in Havana. Pope’s homily.
16:30 – Farewell ceremony at the Jose Marti International Airport of Havana. Address by the Holy Father.
17:00 – Departure from Havana’s Jose Marti international airport to Rome.