His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI. comes to the Czech Republic for a state visit
9/24/2009 , Prague
On the invitation of the President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus and Czech Bishops' Conference, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will come for a visit to the Czech Republic on September 26-28, 2009. During his three-day stay the Pope will visit Prague, Brno and Stará Boleslav.
Selection from the program of the visit
(subject to alterations)
Day 1 of the visit
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Arrival - Prague - Stará Ruzyně Airport
11:30 - arrival of His Holiness Benedict XVI
- welcome of the Holy Father by the President of the Czech Republic and Mrs. Livia Klausová
- welcome ceremony with military honours
11:50 - speech of the President
12:00 - discourse of the Holy Father Benedict XVI.
Welcome by mayors of Prague districts and a visit to the Churchof Our Lady Victorious (Chrám Panny Marie Vítězné)
12:30 - arrival of the Holy Father at the church at Churchof Our Lady of Victory
(at Karmelitská street 9, at the staircase to the main portal)
- welcome of the Holy Father Benedict XVI by the Mayor of the Capital of Prague and by mayors of Prague districts
12:40 - visit to the Church of Our Lady Victorious / meeting with families
Reception of the Holy Father at the Prague Castle and meeting the public life representatives
16:30 - reception of the Holy Father Benedict XVI by the President of the Republic and Mrs. Livia Klausová
(the Throne Room)
16:30 - meeting of the Cardinal – the secretary of state and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
(the Drawing room of the State Apartment)
17:05 - meeting of the Holy Father Benedict XVI with the Czech public life representatives
(the Spanish Hall)
17:10 - greetings by the President of the Republic
17:15 - concert given by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
17:35 - end of the concert
17:40 - greetings by the Holy Father Benedict XVI
Day 2 of the visit
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Pontifical Mass Brno – Tuřany
10:00 - the Holy Mass (incl. prayer of the Angelus)
12:15 - end of the Mass
Meeting of the Holy Father with the representatives of academic world at the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle
18:00 - the start of the meeting of His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI with the academic world
(the Vladislav Hall)
Day 3 of the visit
Monday, 28 September 2009
Basilica of St Wenceslaus in Stará Boleslav
8:50 - arrival of the Holy Father to the Basilica of St. Wenceslaus in Stará Boleslav
Holy Mass at Proboštská louka (Stará Boleslav)
9:20 - arrival of the President of the Republic and Mrs. Livia Klausová to Proboštská louka
9:45 - beginning of the solemn Holy Mass celebrated by His Holiness Benedict XVI
12:00 - end of the Mass
Departure – Prague – Stará Ruzyně Airport
17:30 - arrival of the presidential couple and the Holy Father to the take-off area
- farewell ceremony with military honours
17:40 - speech of the President of the Czech Republic
17:45 - discourse of the Pope Benedict XVI
17:50 - farewell of state representatives to the Pope Benedict XVI
- farewell of the President of the Czech Republic and Mrs. Livia Klausová to the Pope Benedict XVI
17:55 - departure of His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI to Rome
Radim Ochvat, Director of the Press Department