Pope Francis will have a busy day, Monday, May 24, as he will visit Vatican Radio’s offices and personnel in the morning, and by the afternoon open the annual assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference, also known as the CEI.

In a statement to accredited journalists, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, earlier this week announced: “On Monday May 24, at 9 am, Pope Francis will visit the working community of the Dicastery for Communication in Palazzo Pio, on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of L’Osservatore Romano and the 90th anniversary of Vatican Radio.

“At the end he will return to the Vatican.”

In a separate note today, Bruni also announced that on the same day, “the Holy Father Francis will open the 74th General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference at the Ergife Palace Hotel in Rome. After the intervention, scheduled for 4 pm, the Pope will return to the Vatican.”

A subsequent press release from the CEI gave some additional details about the May 24-27 General Assembly on the theme “Proclaiming the Gospel in a time of rebirth – To start a synodal journey.”

The Holy Father’s speech, they clarified, will be broadcast live by Vatican Media.

On Tuesday 25 May, at 9.30 am, Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve and President of the CEI, will start the reflection with his Introduction which can be followed in streaming through the YouTube channel and the Facebook page of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

“On the agenda,” it noted, “there is reflection on the current context that requires a renewed proclamation of the Gospel, in a synodal style.”

The main talk will be given by Mons. Franco Giulio Brambilla, bishop of Novara and Vice President of the CEI. The comparison in the study groups and in the classroom will help to identify bottom lines and methodologies.

The Assembly will then be called upon to elect two Vice Presidents (for the North area and for the Center area), members of the Council for Economic Affairs and Presidents of the Episcopal Commissions.

The Bishops will also provide for the approval of decisions in juridical-administrative matters.