On Saturday, May 18, the eve of Pentecost, Pope Francis will visit the northern Italian city of Verona for a one-day pastoral visit.

His visit has been given the theme “Justice and peace will embrace,” a quotation from Psalm 85.

Priests, consecrated persons, and young people

Pope Francis will depart from the Vatican heliport at 6:30 a.m. on May 18, landing in Verona at 8:00 a.m.

He will be greeted by the city’s (and wider region’s) main political and religious figures: Bishop Domenico Pompili, Bishop of Verona; Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region; and, Demetrio Martino and Damiano Tommasi, prefect and mayor of Verona, respectively.

Immediately after his arrival, the Pope will travel to the Basilica of St. Zeno of Verona for a meeting with priests and consecrated persons, delivering his first speech.

Following this, in the square in front of the church, the Pope will meet with a group of children and young people.

‘Arena of Peace’ and prison visit

At 10:15 a.m., the Pope is scheduled to arrive at Verona’s Arena, where he will preside at a gathering entitled “Arena of Peace – Justice and Peace Will Embrace.” During the event, he will answer some questions from attendees.

The Arena of Peace is an initiative organised by Church and civil society groups, active since 1986.

After the gathering, Pope Francis will travel by car to the Montorio Prison, where he will greet the prison officers, detainees, and volunteers, to whom he will deliver a speech.

Following lunch with the detainees at 2:30 p.m., the Pope will leave the prison to travel by car to the Bentegodi Stadium to preside over Mass at 3:00 p.m.

At 4:45 p.m., he will depart for his return to the Vatican, where he is scheduled to arrive at 6:15 p.m.