Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, will visit Greece early next month, arriving on Dec. 4 and departing two days later.
Upon arrival in Athens the pontiff will be received separately by the Greek president and prime minister for talks, while he’s scheduled to addressed members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Greece and civil society representatives.
In the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 4, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymous will receive Pope Francis for a closely watched meeting at the Athens Archdiocese.
Greece is an overwhelming Christian Orthodox country, with Archbishop Ieronymos the most influential Church leader in the country.
Afterwards, the pontiff will address Roman Catholic bishops, clergy, monastic orders and faithful at the St. Denis the Aeropaghite Cathedral in central Athens.
He’ll travel to the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos on Sunday, Dec. 5, to visit a migrant reception and identification center.
Finally, the pope will lead a divine liturgy service at the Athens Concert Hall that same afternoon, after returning to the Greek capital.
