Pope Benedict leaves Vatican to pray at shrine outside Rome once beloved by John Paul II
AP via Yahoo! News21 minutes ago
Pope Slips Out of Vatican, Prays at Shrine
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI made an unannounced trip Saturday to a shrine outside Rome that was beloved by Pope John Paul II, officials said.
Benedict celebrated Mass in honor of the Madonna during the "private pilgrimage" to the Mother of the Graces of Mentorella shrine, about 30 miles from Rome, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said.
The previously unannounced visit fell on the 27th anniversary of the first time John Paul prayed at the shrine as pope, the ANSA news agency reported.
The Polish-born John Paul had prayed at the shrine two days before his Oct. 16, 1978, election, and returned there on Oct. 29, 1978, as well as several more times during his pontificate.
John Paul would occasionally slip out of the Vatican for unannounced day trips. Saturday's pilgrimage was the first known one for Benedict.
posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 8:25 PM
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