Pope Francis trip to Poland to include Auschwitz visit

(ANSA) - Vatican City, June 9 - Pope Francis's agenda for his July 27-31 trip to Poland will include World Youth Day events, a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp to pray for its victims, and a meeting with ailing young patients in Prokocim hospital.
    On Thursday the Vatican made official the programme for the trip to Krakow, which will be the 15th international trip of this pontificate. Upon arrival on Wednesday, July 27, Francis is due to meet the Polish president and members of the diplomatic service and civil society. Later he will meet Polish bishops in Krakow cathedral.
    Thursday 28th will include a visit to see the Black Madonna icon in Czestochowa and a welcome meeting with young people.
    On Friday, Francis will visit the Auschwitz and Birkenau camps, during which he is due to make a speech. Later he will head to the Prokocim hospital.
    On Saturday, July 30, the pope will head to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy and several youth events.
    On Sunday he will preside over a big World Youth Day Mass and in the afternoon he will meet volunteers and the organising committee of the event.