VATICAN - Tomorrow the Pope starts his apostolic Visit to Austria, on the occasion of 850th anniversary of the Marian Shrine of Mariazell

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Tomorrow 7 September, at 9.30am the Pope will depart from Rome's Ciampino airport for Vienna on his first Apostolic Journey to Austria. The main reason is to celebrate with the Catholics of Austria and neighbouring countries, the 850th anniversary of the much loved Marian Shrine of Mariazell which draws pilgrims from Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany and many other countries.
After the ceremony of welcome at Vienna airport the Pope will go to Am Hof Square in Vienna where he will say a prayer at the foot of a column bearing a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He will then visit a memorial in Juden Platz in honour of the Austrian victims of the Shoah. In the afternoon the Pope will pay a courtesy visit to the president of Austria and have a meeting with the civil authorities and the diplomatic corps.
On Saturday 8 September the Pope will travel to the Shrine of Mariazell and preside an open air Mass at 10.30. After lunch with the Austrian Bishops at 4.45 inside the Basilica the Pope will preside Vespers with the local clergy, religious, deacons and seminarians.
On Sunday 9 September the Pope will preside Mass at 10am in the square in front of St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. The afternoon programme includes a visit at 4.30 to the famous Heiligenkreuz Abbey followed by a meeting with voluntary workers at the Wiener Konzerthaus at 5.30pm. The Pope will then depart from Vienna airport at 7.15pm and is expected to arrive at Giampino airport at 9.30pm. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 6/9/2007; righe 21, parole 276)