Vatican Advance team to arrive in Sri Lanka on 9 January in preparation for Papal visit

Friday, 9 January 2015 03:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Vatican advance team is due to arrive in Colombo on 9th January for the final preparations prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in Sri Lanka, the External Affairs Ministry said today. In a statement confirming the Pope’s visit, the Ministry said Pope Francis will pay a State Visit to Sri Lanka from 13 to 15 January on the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. “The Government and people of Sri Lanka are looking forward to warmly welcoming His Holiness and his delegation,” the Ministry said. All arrangements for the visit are in place and the required constructions are progressing on schedule including the altar at Galle Face Green where the Special Mass and the canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz, which will take place on Wednesday 14 January. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka President Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith reiterating the confirmation of the Papal visit as scheduled, has also outlined the extensive arrangements underway which will also include a liturgical ceremony at the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu and an inter-faith meeting with leaders of all major religions in Sri Lanka at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. The Pope will also pray at the Chapel of Our Lady of Lanka in Bolawalana, Negombo. The Ministry of Postal Services and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka will issue a special commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion of this landmark visit. Sri Lanka will be the second Asian country to be visited by Pope Francis and his first destination on the forthcoming apostolic voyage to Asia.

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