Schedule for Pope's August Visit to Poland

VATICAN, Jul 2, 02 (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II will travel to Poland in mid-August, the Vatican has confirmed.

The 98th foreign voyage of this pontificate-- and the 8th visit by Pope John Paul to his native land-- will take place August 16- 19. During the trip, the Pope will consecrate a new basilica at Lagiewniki, near Krakow, dedicated to the Divine Mercy. He will also visit the Marian sanctuary of Kalwaria Zedrzydowska: a site to which he had frequently made pilgrimages before his election to the papacy. Although the Vatican has published only a skeletal program for the papal grip, Polish sources indicate that the Lagiewniki basilica will be dedicated on August 17, the day after the Pontiff's arrival. That same day he is scheduled to meet with Poland's political leaders.

On August 18-- again according to Polish sources-- the Pope will celebrate Mass in Krakow; no other events have been announced for that day. And on August 19 he will visit the Franciscan shrine at Kalwaria Zedrzydowska before embarking on his return flight to Rome.