VATICAN CITY, JULY 16, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI will visit Lourdes in 2008, the 150th anniversary of Mary's 1858 apparitions in that French village.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed the visit Sunday, following a visit from Bishop Jacques Perrier of Lourdes to Rome, to prepare certain aspects of the papal journey.
The Vatican spokesman did not confirm a date for the Lourdes trip.
The jubilee year to mark the anniversary of the apparitions will begin this Dec. 8 and finish Dec. 8, 2008.
ZE07071608 - 2007-07-16