Vatican City: The Vatican has released Pope Francis' schedule for the coming months.

An Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan, pastoral visits to Assisi and to Matera, celebrations for the canonisation of several Blesseds, and Holy Mass to mark the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council are some of the highlights of Pope Francis' busy schedule for September and October.

Pope Francis will preside over Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on 11 October, Pope St. John XXIII’s feast day, marking the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. That Mass will begin at 5 pm local time.

As stated in a Holy See Press Office communiqué, the Pope’s October schedule is a busy one that includes his 38th Apostolic Journey abroad which takes him to Kazakhstan from 13 to 15 September.

Pope Francis will travel to the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, to address the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which brings together various religious leaders from around the world. He will also meet with the Catholic faithful and clergy to encourage them and affirm them in their faith.

On 24 September, the Pope will be in the central Italian town of Assisi for an event dedicated to “The Economy of Francesco” and the following day, Sunday, 25 September, he will undertake a pastoral visit to the southern town of Matera for the conclusion of the 27th National Eucharistic Congress on the theme: "Let’s go back to the taste of bread", which begins 22 September.

On 9 October, Pope Francis will preside over the Canonization Mass of Blesseds Giovanni Battista Scalabrini and Artemide Zatti. The Mass will take place in St. Peter’s Square in the morning.
Finally, on 2 November, marking the Commemoration of all the faithful departed, the Pope will say Mass at the Altar of the Cathedra in St. Peter's inn suffrage of the cardinals and bishops who died during the year

-VN