Pope to visit tomb of St. Augustine

Pope to visit tomb of St. Augustine: "Pope to visit tomb of St. Augustine



Vatican City, Apr 17, 2007 / 09:54 am (CNA).- On Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 23, the Holy Father will make a pastoral visit to the Italian dioceses of Vigevano and Pavia, for the 750th anniversary of the Bull 'Licet Ecclesiae Catholicae' with which Pope Alexander IV unified the various groups following the Augustinian rule into one great Order.

Soon after his election to the pontificate on April 19, 2005, Benedict XVI was invited by Fr. Robert Prevost, Prior General of the Augustinian order, to come and venerate the remains of St. Augustine which are conserved in the Basilica of San Pietro in Cieldoro, in Pavia. Having accepted invitation, the Holy Father will visit the Basilica where he will light a votive candle before the Saint's casket in perennial memory of his visit.

The Pope will also bless the corner stone of the planned Augustinian cultural center, which the Order intends to dedicate to Benedict XVI, in honor of the strong spiritual and theological ties binding the Holy Father and the great Doctor of the Church. "