Pope Benedict to visit Lourdes

The Holy Father will visit Lourdes in 2008, the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady. Father Federico Lombardi SJ, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed the visit on Sunday, following a visit from Bishop Jacques Perrier of Lourdes to Rome, to organise the trip. Fr Lombardi did not confirm a date for the Lourdes trip. The jubilee year to mark the anniversary of the apparitions begins on 8 December this year and finishes on December 8, 2008. Source: VIS