The Pope is Busy in Pavia This Weekend

Pope Benedict is in Pavia, northwestern Italy (south of Milan) this weekend, visiting the relics of St. Augustine and doing several other things. Sadly, I haven't found too much coverage of the trip around St. Blogs. So, let's fill-in the gap!

CWNews has a short summary of his trip. Here's what he's doing today:

On Sunday morning, April 22, the Holy Father will visit a medical clinic in Pavia, speaking to patients and staff there. He will celebrate Mass, and meet with university students and faculty before going to the basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro ("St. Peter in the Golden Sky"). Late in the afternoon he will return by helicopter to Milan, and from there by plane to Rome, arriving Sunday evening.

CNA adds a bit more:

Soon after his election to the pontificate on April 19, 2005, Benedict XVI was invited by Fr. Robert Prevost, Prior General of the Augustinian order, to come and venerate the remains of St. Augustine which are conserved in the Basilica of San Pietro in Cieldoro, in Pavia. Having accepted invitation, the Holy Father will visit the Basilica where he will light a votive candle before the Saint's casket in perennial memory of his visit.

The Pope will also bless the corner stone of the planned Augustinian cultural center, which the Order intends to dedicate to Benedict XVI, in honor of the strong spiritual and theological ties binding the Holy Father and the great Doctor of the Church.

Zenit's coverage here.

More relevant links:

• The texts of the Holy Father's speeches and address will be posted on the Vatican website here. They also promise pictures eventually.
• Blog-by-the-sea has a good post on this trip. She also has links to video coverage.
• The Papa Ratzinger Forum is doing a great job providing translations of the Pope's texts (scroll-down to find the ones from Pavia).
• Ignatius Insight has a very informative post on St. Augustine/Pope Benedict.

Update 3 (Monday headlines):

• Amy: Pope in Pavia
• Whispers in the Loggia: B16 in Pavia: Two Saints, Two Popes
• CWNews: Papal pilgrimage focuses on St. Augustine
• CNA: Benedict examines St. Augustine's path of conversion
• CWNews: On trip to Pavia, Pope underlines respect for life
• CNS: Pope calls St. Augustine 'model of conversion' for all Christians

Update 2: Zenit's coverage is now available:

• On Benedict XVI and St. Augustine - Interview With Father Rovert Prevost
• Augustine a Model of Conversion, Says Pontiff, Visits Tomb of Doctor of the Church
• Pope: Science Needs to Respect Life, Encourages Hospital Staff and Ill to Promote Values

Update: MSM coverage of his visit:

• AP: Pope: Medical advances must respect life
• AP: Pope Presses Campaign for Family

Here's an odd one ... Pope visits Italy's "Shoe City", gets 15,001 pairs - Reuters:

VIGEVANO, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Benedict got 15,001 pairs of shoes on Saturday.

During a visit to this northern city known as Italy's shoe capital, a local consortium gave one pair for himself and 15,000 more pairs for the needy around the world.

The Pope was given red loafers designed and manufactured by the Moreschi firm and made from kangaroo hide. [that shouldn't please the Italian animal-rights group that want Pope Benedict to give up his ermine-trimmed red velvet cape and papal hat - Zadok has more on that.]

Those destined for the poor include boots and other types of footwear. Local industrialists are due to send them directly to charities chosen by the
Vatican. [More...]

[photo: Photo/Andrew Medichini]