The Prefecture of the Papal Household announced that Pope Leo XIV will travel to Albano, Italy, on Sunday, Aug. 17, to celebrate Mass with the poor.
At 9:30 a.m. local time, the Holy Father will arrive at the Shrine of Santa Maria della Rotonda in Albano, a municipality located 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) from the Vatican and bordering Castel Gandolfo, to celebrate Mass with a group of people who receive assistance from Caritas.
After Mass, he will head to Castel Gandolfo to preside over the Angelus prayer at noon from Liberty Square.
In addition, according to the Diocese of Albano, he will later share lunch with 100 low-income people at Borgo Laudato Si’, an ecological and social project inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical.
According to Vatican News, the bishop of Albano, Vincenzo Viva, said he was “full of joy” at the return of Pope Leo to the diocese, where he spent his summer vacation from July 7–22.
He also stated that the Holy Father accepted Caritas’ proposal to have lunch with the group. “This is the first time that Leo XIV will meet with the poor during his pontificate, and we are very happy that he is beginning this journey with our diocese,” Viva stated.
On Friday, Aug. 15, the Holy Father will also travel to Castel Gandolfo to preside over Mass for the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova. After Mass, he will also lead the Angelus from the iconic Piazza della Liberdade (Liberty Square).
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This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú is a graduate in Journalism and Advertising from CEU San Pablo University in Madrid, with studies at LUMSA in Rome. Former Vatican correspondent for ACI Prensa and EWTN. Now Europe correspondent based in Madrid, covering major Catholic events and Church affairs.
