Anticipation is growing in the region for the 50th edition of the Social Weeks of Italian Catholics, scheduled in Trieste from 3 to 7 July. The initiative, which will see the presence of over 600 delegates from dioceses throughout Italy, will open with the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and will be closed on Sunday 7 July by the Holy Mass presided over by Pope Francis.
On Thursday 6 June the Holy See Press Office issued the program of Pope Francis’ visit to Trieste, at the conclusion of the 50th edition of the Social Weeks of Italian Catholics. The Holy Father will be in the Julian capital on Sunday 7 July. On that day the Pope will arrive at 8am at the “Generali Convention Center” in Trieste, where he will be welcomed by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference; together with him the archbishop of Catania mgr. Luigi Renna, president of the organizing committee of the Social Weeks. the bishop of Trieste mgr. Enrico Trevisithe president of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region Massimiliano Fedrigathe prefect of Trieste Pietro Signoriellothe mayor of the Julian city Roberto Dipiazza and the CEO of Generali, Philippe Donnet.
The Pope’s meetings
At 8.30 at the Congress Center – after Zuppi’s greeting and Renna’s introduction – the Pope’s speech to the participants of the Week. At the end – while the congress participants move to Piazza Unità d’Italia for the Mass – Francis will meet some groups: that of ecumenical representativesthat expression of academic worldthe one formed by migrants, sick people and people with disabilities.
The Mass in Piazza Unità d’Italia
At 10am the Pope will leave the Congress Center in an open car to reach Piazza Unità d’Italia, site of the Eucharistic concelebration, which will begin at 10.30am, followed by the recitation of the Angelus. Before the final blessing, the words of thanks from Bishop Trevisi. At 12.30 takeoff from Molo Audace towards the Vatican.
Attend Mass
6,200 seats and 3,500 standing places are expected in Piazza Unità, mostly reserved for the faithful of the parishes of the Diocese of Trieste, which has organized a seat reservation system with the issuing of pass. On 28 and 29 June, in the morning and at the entrance to the Episcopal Curia of Trieste (in via di Cavana 16), a information and pass delivery point for faithful arriving from dioceses other than Trieste or to anyone from the Diocese of Trieste who was unable to register at their parish. For the release of pass it is necessary to provide some general information: name and surname of the applicants, with place and date of birth. Requests can be made to: [email protected].
Social week, to «orient the country towards the common good»
The Social Week, the organizers recall, «is a periodic event, in which Catholics, active in Italy in all areas of society, meet to compare their experiences, share their perspectives and coordinate their activities, launching common actions and proposals for change for the future of the country.” Social Weeks have been held for more than 110 years. And 2024 will be the 50th edition. The objective, again in the words of the organizers: «to focus on actions, attention, common initiatives to support and strengthen the participation of Catholics and all citizens in the democratic life of the country and orient it towards the common good».
