Apostolic Journey

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Official Theme Song – Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to Japan – ‘Protect All Life’

His Holiness, Pope Francis, Vicar of Christ and Bishop of Rome is now currently visiting Japan as part of his trip to Asia. This visit to Japan is a great boost to Japan’s approximately 500,000 Catholics. The Pope will be visiting the Martyrs’ Shrine in Nagasaki as well as the Atomic Bomb memorials in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and meeting the newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito of Japan in the Tokyo Imperial Palace and celebrating the Mass in Tokyo Cathedral and Tokyo Dome.

The Catholic Church in Japan has collaborated to produce this wonderful song titled ‘Protect All Life’ as the main theme song for this Apostolic Visit, the second time the Pope visits Japan after Pope St. John Paul II’s visit in 1981.

This song is a reminder that all life are precious and sacred, especially in the context of the massive loss of life during the Pacific War and the horrors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Let us all keep all life as precious and always strive to love one another, bring peace and harmony to this world.

The above images are the romaji transliteration of the official lyrics of the song ‘Protect All Life’. All English translations are by the official Pope Visit to Japan team. No copyright infringement intended.

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Official Theme Song – Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to Thailand – ‘Let Love be the Bridge’

His Holiness, Pope Francis, Vicar of Christ and Bishop of Rome is now currently visiting Thailand as part of his trip to Asia. This visit to Thailand celebrates the 350th Anniversary since the establishment of the Church in Thailand (1669 – present) with the foundation of the Mission of Siam led by the missionaries of the MEP (Missions Étrangères de Paris) / Paris Foreign Missions Society.

The Catholic Church in Thailand has collaborated to produce this wonderful song in Thai (with official English translation and version for the refrain), titled ‘Let Love be the Bridge’ as one of the two main theme songs for this Apostolic Visit, the second time the Pope visits Thailand after Pope St. John Paul II’s visit in 1984.

This is truly a wonderful song dedicated to harmony between peoples, and a reminder to all of us as Christians that our first and foremost calling is to love and to share our love unconditionally with others, our fellow brothers and sisters of all backgrounds, origins and religions. Through our love, everyone will then know that we belong to Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, and it is how we become genuine witnesses for Him in this world.

Shown above is the rough transliteration (and English translation for the first two verses of the song). As Thai is not my native language and I am not proficient in it, my sincerest apologies should there be mistakes in either the transliteration or translation.

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Schedule of World Youth Day 2016 (27-31 July 2016) – Krakow, Poland

Wednesday, 27 July

4:00pm Arrival at John Paul II International Airport Krakow–Balice WELCOMING CEREMONY
5:00pm Arrival at Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES AND DIPLOMATIC CORPS
5:40pm COURTESY VISIT WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND
6:30pm WAWEL CATHEDRAL – MEETING WITH POLISH BISHOPS Silent prayer at the Tomb of St. Stanislaus, where the relics of Pope St. John Paul II are also displayed, veneration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel behind the altar.
Address by the Holy Father
IN THE EVENING: BISHOP’S RESIDENCE IN KRAKOW After dinner, the Holy Father will appear in the Papal Window to greet the faithful gathered in the square in front of the Bishop’s Residence in Krakow.

Thursday, 28 July

7:40am Transfer to Balice, along with a stop at the CONVENT OF THE SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION Sisters from this community, along with some students from the schools they run, will be gathered at the entrance to the Chapel of Saints John the Baptist and John the Apostle. Silent common prayer.
9:45am Arrival at JASNA GÓRA MONASTERY in Częstochowa Prayer in the Chapel of the Miraculous Image
10:30am MASS on the occasion of the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland This Mass is an event of national importance, in the framework of the Jubilee Year of the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland.
The Sanctuary area can accommodate about 300,000 faithful. Bishops and many Polish priests will concelebrate, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Poland and the highest authorities of the country.
5:00pm Consignment of the keys to Krakow and tram ride to Błonia Park
On the square in front of the Bishop’s Residence, the President of Krakow will consign the keys to the city to the Holy Father. Disabled youth will accompany Pope Francis in the tram to Błonia Park.
5:15pm Arrival at Błonia Park. Popemobile ride among the faithful. Approx. 600,000 young people are expected.
5:30pm WELCOMING CEREMONY (approx. 1.5 hrs.) After dinner, the Holy Father will appear in the Papal Window, greeting the faithful gathered in the square.

Friday, 29 July

7:00am PRIVATE MASS in the chapel of the Bishop’s Residence in Krakow
9:30am VISIT TO AUSCHWITZ This year marks the 75th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
The Holy Father will walk into the concentration camp, passing through the entrance gate on his own. At the entrance to the courtyard of Block 11, the Holy Father will meet individually with 15 camp survivors. Private prayer in the cell of the martyrdom of Father Kolbe.
10:30am VISIT TO BIRKENAU CAMP The Holy Father will travel by car from the main gate of the camp, along the railway line, up to the square in front of the International Monument to the Victims of the Camp, where about 1,000 visitors will be gathered. He will stop for a silent prayer in front of the monument. Individual meeting with 25 “Righteous Among the Nations.”
Address by the Holy Father.
4:30pm Transfer to Kraków-Prokocim.
VISIT TO UNIVERSITY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL This hospital, one of the most important in Poland, treats approximately 30,000 hospitalized and 200,000 outpatient children each year.
About 50 sick children will be gathered in the lobby with their parents.
Address by the Holy Father.
Private visit to some areas of the hospital’s emergency ward on the ground floor, accompanied by the Director and parents. Prayer in the hospital chapel.
6:00pm WAY OF THE CROSS with youth in Krakow’s Błonia Park At the end of the Way of the Cross, the Holy Father will deliver a short address.
After dinner, the Holy Father will appear in the Papal Window, greeting the faithful gathered in the square.

Saturday, 30 July

8:30am VISIT TO DIVINE MERCY SANCTUARY IN ŁAGIEWNIKI
Chapel of St. Faustina Kowalska. Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will be present, along with the girls in their care. Prayer in the chapel before the tomb of St. Faustina.
8:45am Transfer by Popemobile to the DIVINE MERCY SANCTUARY.
9:00am Passage through the Holy Door of Mercy The Holy Father will enter the Sanctuary through the Holy Door of Mercy.
9:15am Liturgy of RECONCILIATION with the participation of youth The Holy Father will confess five young people in the following languages: Italian, Spanish, and French. Pope Francis is the third pope – after St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI – to visit the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, but the first to confess.
10:30am HOLY MASS in the JOHN PAULL II SANCTUARY with priests, consecrated persons, and seminarians from Poland.
Around 2 thousand people will be in the Sanctuary: priests, religious, consecrated persons, and seminarians from Poland. 5 thousand will be able to participate in the Mass on the vast square in front of the shrine.
1:00pm LUNCH WITH YOUTH The Holy Father will eat lunch with the Archbishop of Krakow, a translator, and 12 youth representatives from different countries: one boy and one girl from each continent, as well as a boy and a girl from Poland.
7:00pm Arrival at CAMPUS MISERICORDIAE Passing through the Door of Mercy with five youth representatives
7:30pm PRAYER VIGIL WITH YOUTH

Sunday, 31 July

8:45am Arrival at CAMPUS MISERICORDIAE Blessing of two Caritas buildings: House of Mercy for the poor and elderly, and Bread House – a food pantry for the needy
Passage among the faithful
10:00am FINAL MASS to mark the end of World Youth Day The sending out of youth as witnesses of Divine Mercy. Announcement of the location and year of the next World Youth Day.
5:00pm Arrival at Tauron Arena for a MEETING WITH WYD VOLUNTEERS and the Local Organizing Committee and benefactors
6:15pm Arrival in Airport Krakow–Balice (military part).
FAREWELL CEREMONY OF THE HOLY FATHER
(Information and schedule courtesy of World Youth Day 2016)
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Saturday, 30 April 2016 : Fifth Week of Easter, Memorial of Pope St. Pius V, Pope (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 16 : 1-10

Paul travelled on to Derbe and then to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy lived there, whose mother was a believer of Jewish origin but whose father was a Greek. As the believers of Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him, Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him. So he took him and, because of the Jews of that place who all knew that his father was a Greek, he circumcised him.

As they travelled from town to town, they delivered the decisions of the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem, for the people to obey. Meanwhile, the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number every day. They travelled through Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia.

When they came to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. There one night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood before him and begged him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

When he awoke, he told us of this vision and we understood that the Lord was calling us to give the Good News to the Macedonian people.

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Full official schedule of the Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba and the United States of America (19-27 September 2015)

Full schedule of the Pope’s visit to Cuba and the US (September 19-27):

September 19 (Rome, Havana)

10.15am Departure from Rome’s Fiumicino airport for Havana.
4.05pm Arrival ceremony at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport. Speech by pope.

 

September 20 (Havana)

9am Mass in Havana’s Revolution Square. Homily by Pope. Recitation of the Angelus.
4pm Courtesy visit with Cuba’s President Raul Castro in Havana’s Palace of the Revolution.
5.15pm Celebration of vespers with priests, religious and seminarians in Havana’s cathedral. Homily by Pope.
6.30pm Greeting to young people at the Father Felix Varela cultural center in Havana. Remarks by Pope.

 

September 21 (Havana, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, El Cobre)

8am Departure by air for Holguin, Cuba.
9.20am Arrival at Holguin’s Frank Pais International Airport.
10.30am Mass in Holguin’s Revolution Square. Homily by pope.
3.45pm Blessing of the city of Holguin from Cross Hill (Loma de la Cruz).
4.40pm Departure by air for Santiago de Cuba.
5.30pm Arrival at Santiago de Cuba’s Antonio Maceo International Airport.
7pm Meeting with bishops at the seminary of St. Basil the Great in El Cobre.
7.45pm Prayer to Our Lady of Charity with bishops and the papal entourage in the Minor Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre.

 

September 22 (El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Washington DC)

8am Mass in the Minor Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre. Homily by pope.
11am Meeting with families in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption in Santiago de Cuba. Speech by pope. Blessing of the city from the outside of the cathedral.
12.15pm Farewell ceremony at Santiago de Cuba’s International Airport.
12.30pm Departure for Washington, United States
4pm Arrival at Andrews Air Force Base. Official welcome.

 

September 23 (Washington DC)

9.15am Meeting with President Obama at the White House
11.30am Midday Prayer with the bishops of the United States, St. Matthew’s Cathedral
4.15pm Mass of Canonisation of Junipero Serra, Basilicia of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

 

September 24 (Washington DC, New York City)

9.20am Address to Joint Session of the United States Congress
11.15am Visit to St. Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
4pm Depart from Joint Base Andrews
5pm Arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport
6.45pm Evening Prayer (Vespers) at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

 

September 25 (New York City)

8.30am Visit to the United Nations and Address to the United Nations General Assembly
11.30am Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Centre
4pm Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem
6pm Mass at Madison Square Garden

 

September 26 (New York City, Philadelphia)

8.40am Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
9.30am Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia
10.30am Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
4.45pm Visit to Independence Mall
7.30pm Visit to the Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

September 27 (Philadelphia)

9.15am Meeting with bishops at at St Martin’s Chapel, St Charles Borromeo Seminary
11am Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
4pm Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
7pm Visit with organisers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation
8pm Departure for Rome

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Friday, 15 May 2015 : 6th Week of Easter (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 18 : 9-18

One night, in a vision, the Lord said to Paul, “Do not be afraid, but continue speaking and do not be silent, for many people in this city are Mine. I am with you, so no one will harm you.” So Paul stayed a year and a half in that place, teaching the word of God among them.

When Gallio was governor of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the court. And they accused him, “This man tries to persuade us to worship God in ways that are against the Law.”

Paul was about to speak in his own defense when Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of misdeed or vicious crime, I would have to consider your complaint. But since this is a quarrel about teachings and divine names that are proper to your own law, see to it yourselves : I refuse to judge such matters.” And he sent them out of the court.

Then the people seized Sosthenes, a leading man of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal; but Gallio paid no attention to it. Paul stayed on with the disciples in Corinth for many days; he then left them and sailed off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria. And as he was no longer under a vow he had taken, he shaved his head before sailing from Cenchreae.

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Saturday, 9 May 2015 : 5th Week of Easter (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 16 : 1-10

Paul travelled on to Derbe and then to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy lived there, whose mother was a believer of Jewish origin but whose father was a Greek. As the believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him, Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him. So he took him and, because of the Jews of that place who all knew that his father was a Greek, he circumcised him.

As they travelled from town to town, they delivered the decisions of the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem, for the people to obey. Meanwhile, the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number every day.

They travelled through Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.

There one night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood before him and begged him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” When he awoke, he told us of this vision and we understood that the Lord was calling us to give the Good News to the Macedonian people.

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Tuesday, 5 May 2015 : 5th Week of Easter (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 14 : 19-28

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the people against them. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, leaving him for dead. But when his disciples gathered around him, he stood up and returned to the town. And the next day he left for Derbe with Barnabas.

After proclaiming the Gospel in that town and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and on to Antioch. They were strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, for they said, “We must go through many trials to enter the Kingdom of God.”

In each Church they appointed elders and, after praying and fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had placed their faith. Then they travelled through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. They preached the Word in Perga and went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had first been commended to God’s grace for the task they had now completed.

On their arrival they gathered the Church together and told them all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the non-Jews. They spent a fairly long time there with the disciples.

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Repost : Full Official Schedule of Pope Francis’ Visits to Sri Lanka and the Philippines (12-19 January 2015)

Full Official Program of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Voyage to Sri Lanka and the Philippines (12-19 January 2015)

 

Monday, 12 January 2014

19:00 Departure from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for Colombo

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Tuesday, 13 January 2014

09:00 Arrival at the International Airport in Colombo; Welcoming Ceremony and Speech by Pope Francis.

13:15 Speech to the Bishops of Sri Lanka at the Archdiocese of Colombo

17:00 Courtesy Visit to the President of the Republic of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Residence

18:15 Inter-religious meeting at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and Speech by Pope Francis

 

Wednesday, 14 January 2014

08:30 Holy Mass and Canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz at Galle Face Green in Colombo

14:00 Transfer by helicopter to Madhu

15:30 Marian Prayer at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary at Madhu

16:45 Transfer by Helicopter to Colombo

 

Thursday, 15 January 2014

08:15 Visit to the Chapel “Our Lady of Lanka” at Bolawalana

08:45 Departure Ceremony from the International Airport of Colombo

09:00 Departure by plane from Colombo to Manila

17:45 Arrival from Sri Lanka at the Villamor Air Base, Manila

Procession by motorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature through the Taft Avenue, Manila

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Friday, 16 January 2014

9:15 Welcome Ceremony at the Malacañang Palace, Manila

10:15 Meeting with Civil Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps and Speech by Pope Francis.

Procession by motorcade to the Cathedral-Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)

11:15 Mass with Bishops, Priests, and Religious at the Cathedral-Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila

Procession by motorcade to the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

17:30 Encounter with Families at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay and Speech by Pope Francis

 

Saturday, 17 January 2014

08:15 Departure for Archdiocese of Palo from Villamor Air Base

09:30 Arrival at Tacloban Airport

10:00 Holy Mass at the Tacloban Airport

12:45 Lunch with the Poor and Survivors of Calamities at Gonzagahaus (Residence of the Archbishop of Palo) in Palo, Leyte

15:00 Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo, Leyte

15:30 Meeting with the Priests and Religious at Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo Cathedral) in Palo, Leyte and Speech by Pope Francis

17:00 Departure for Manila

18:15 Arrival at Manila at Villamor Air Base

 

Sunday, 18 January 2014

09:45 Brief Meeting with the Religious Leaders

10:30 Encounter with the Youth – Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila and Speech by Pope Francis

Procession by motorcade to Rizal Park, Manila

15:30 Holy Mass at Rizal Park, Manila

 

Monday, 19 January 2014

09:45 Departure Ceremony at Villamor Air Base

10:00 Departure for Rome from Villamor Air Base

17:40 Arrival at Rome’s Ciampino Airport

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Official Schedule of Papal Apostolic Journey to Korea (14-18 August 2014)

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Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014
4:00 p.m. Leave by plane from Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport for Seoul

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014
10:30 a.m. Arrival at the Seoul Air Base
12:00 p.m. Private Mass at the Apostolic Nunciature to Korea
3:45 p.m. Welcoming ceremony in the garden of the Blue House (Presidential Palace) in Seoul and courtesy visit to the president of the Republic in the Blue House
4:30 p.m. Meeting with the authorities and government officials in the Chungmu Hall of the Blue House of Seoul
5:30 p.m. Meeting with Korean bishops in the conference headquarters of the Episcopal Conference of Korea

Friday, Aug. 15, 2014
8:45 a.m. Transfer by helicopter to Daejeon (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Daejeon)
10:30 a.m. Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation in the World Cup stadium of Daejeon and praying of the Angelus
1:30 p.m. Lunch with the youth of the Major Seminary of Daejeon
4:30 p.m. Transfer by helicopter to the Solmoe shrine
5:30 p.m. Meeting with the Asian youths at the Solmoe shrine (As part of Sixth Asian Youth Day – 2014)
7:15 p.m. Transfer by helicopter to Seoul

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014
8:55 a.m. Visit to the Shrine of the Martyrs of Seosomun
10:00 a.m. Holy Mass and Beatification Paul Yun Ji-Chung and his 123 companions (Korean Martyrs) at the Door of Gwanghwamun in Seoul
3:30 p.m. Transfer by helicopter to Kkottongnae
4:30 p.m. Visit to the Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled in the House of Hope in Kkottongnae
5:15 p.m. Meeting with the religious communities of Korea in the School of Love training center of Kkottongnae
6:30 p.m. Meeting with the leaders of the Lay Apostolate at the Spirituality Center of Kkottongnae
7:00 p.m. Transfer by helicopter to Seoul

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014
10:00 a.m. Transfer by helicopter to Haemi
11:00 a.m. Meeting with the Asian bishops in the Haemi shrine
1:00 p.m. Lunch with the bishops of Asia in the refectory of Haemi shrine
4:30 p.m. Holy Mass concluding the Sixth Asian Youth Day in the castle of Haemi
7:00 p.m. Transfer by helicopter to Seoul

Monday, Aug. 18, 2014
9:00 a.m. Encounter with religious leaders in the palace of the old Curia of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Seoul
9:45 a.m. Holy Mass for peace and reconciliation in the Myeongdong Cathedral of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Seoul
12:45 p.m. Farewell ceremony from the Republic of Korea at the Air Base of Seoul
1:00 p.m. Departure by plane from the Air Base of Seoul to Rome’s Ciampino International Airport
5:45 p.m. Arrival at Rome’s Ciampino International Airport