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Pope in Lourdes after Paris Mass Pope to celebrate Mass in Lourdes
(about 2 hours later)
Pope Benedict has joined pilgrims in the southern French town of Lourdes, one of the most revered Roman Catholic shrines, on a visit to the country. Pope Benedict XVI has joined pilgrims in the southern French town of Lourdes, one of the most revered Roman Catholic shrines, on a visit to the country.
Benedict XVI is in the town to mark the 150th anniversary of what many Roman Catholics believe was a vision of the Virgin Mary by a young local girl. The pontiff is in the town to mark the 150th anniversary of what many Roman Catholics believe was a vision of the Virgin Mary by a young local girl.
Earlier, the pontiff held an open-air Mass in Paris attended by around 250,000 worshippers. The Pope is to say Sunday Mass in Lourdes. On Saturday, he held an open-air Mass in the capital, Paris.
It is the pontiff's first visit to France since his election in 2005.It is the pontiff's first visit to France since his election in 2005.
He is due to say Sunday mass in Lourdes and about 200,000 pilgrims have also made the trip, hoping to see the Pope's first visit to the shrine. After his arrival in Lourdes, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Benedict XVI prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle, also known as the Cave of Apparitions.
Benedict travelled to Lourdes in the foothills of the Pyrenees to pray at the Grotto of Massabielle. About 200,000 pilgrims have made the trip to the town, hoping to see the Pope's first visit to the shrine.
Local authorities in Lourdes say that they are expecting 23,000 cars and 7,000 coaches to descend on the town during the pontiff's visit. Have not money, the thirst for possessions, for power and even for knowledge, diverted man from his true destiny? Pope Benedict XVI class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7614922.stm">In pictures: Pope in France
More than 3,000 police officers have been mobilised to oversee the papal Mass.More than 3,000 police officers have been mobilised to oversee the papal Mass.
France is a Roman Catholic country but Sunday Mass attendance is now below 10% and strict laws separate Church and state.France is a Roman Catholic country but Sunday Mass attendance is now below 10% and strict laws separate Church and state.
'Pagan' idols'Pagan' idols
The Pope told the crowds in Paris that he was delighted to be in France before going on to condemn as a modern-day plague the passion for power, possessions and money.The Pope told the crowds in Paris that he was delighted to be in France before going on to condemn as a modern-day plague the passion for power, possessions and money.
The German-born pope has received a warm welcome Advertisement
Thousands gather to hear the Pope's Paris mass
"Has not our modern world created its own idols?" he asked in his address."Has not our modern world created its own idols?" he asked in his address.
"Has it not imitated, perhaps inadvertently, the pagans of antiquity, by diverting man from his true end, from the joy of living eternally with God..."Has it not imitated, perhaps inadvertently, the pagans of antiquity, by diverting man from his true end, from the joy of living eternally with God...
"Have not money, the thirst for possessions, for power and even for knowledge, diverted man from his true destiny?""Have not money, the thirst for possessions, for power and even for knowledge, diverted man from his true destiny?"
Arriving in Paris on Friday, the Pope was met by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whom he praised for promoting the role of religion in society.Arriving in Paris on Friday, the Pope was met by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whom he praised for promoting the role of religion in society.
France staunchly upholds a 1905 law that enshrines the separation of Church and state, but Mr Sarkozy has supported efforts to ease the country's strict secularism law.France staunchly upholds a 1905 law that enshrines the separation of Church and state, but Mr Sarkozy has supported efforts to ease the country's strict secularism law.
The opposition Socialists are furious, saying that it is the first time in French history that a pope and a president have shared common politics.
Nonetheless, the German-born pontiff has received a warm welcome, says the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris.
Before his visit, a French newspaper poll showed that more than half of those questioned had a positive view of Benedict XVI.Before his visit, a French newspaper poll showed that more than half of those questioned had a positive view of Benedict XVI.
Did you attend the mass in Paris? You can send us your comments using the form below.
Did you attend the mass in Paris? You can send us your comments using the form below.
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