Pope Benedict goes to France, and to Lourdes

Longtime readers of AmP will know that it first carved a small nitch for itself in the Catholic blogosphere by providing complete coverage of Pope Benedict's journies (most extensively during his U.S. visit).

While the range of topics that AmP follows has diversified since then, papal trip coverage remains a core mission of this little enterprise, by which it strives to help communicate our Holy Father's teaching and witness beyond the geography of his journey to the worldwide audience he is always courting and addressing.

He may be in france, but he is talking to all of us.

While personal commitments are nearing an all-time high for me (preparing for next week's talk especially), I will strive to include the most important details from the pope's upcoming visit this weekend. Stay tuned!

Essential links:

• The apostolic journey's info page on the Vatican Website
• The apostolic journey's day-by-day program of activities
• EWTN's live internet TV streams and schedule of coverage

Previous AmP posts:

• Regensburg Part II - Benedict to address "Crisis of Faith" in France
• French gay groups under surveillance ahead of papal visit
• A preview of Pope Benedict's five essential points about Mary

Catholic coverage:

• CNA: Pope sends message to France as he prepares to visit
• CNA: Youth to have rally with Pope Benedict in France
• CNS: Trip Preview - Pope wants to encourage a revival in France
• John Allen: Benedict hopes to tap the 'creative minority' of French Catholics
• CNA: Archbishop of Paris says papal visit will show France the Pope ‘knows how to listen’
• NLM: Papal MC Explains Changes in Papal Liturgy to French

Mainstream coverage:

• Time Mag: The Pope's Purpose in France
• Associated Press: Pope to visit French city of Lourdes as pilgrim
• Reuters: Most French view Pope positively
• WSJ: Pope, During Visit to France, Will Try To Bridge Gap Between Faith, Reason
• AP: 9,200 security agents for pope's France visit
• Reuters: Pope to find unlikely ally in France's Sarkozy
  

Looks like all they need is the pope!