Pope Francis will celebrate the solemnity of Corpus Christi in the Roman quarter of Casal Bertone. It is not a tourist area of the city, but rather of middle-low class.
The Mass will begin at 6 p.m. local time, in the parish of Santa María Consolatrice. At the end, the cardinal vicar of Rome, Angelo De Donatis, will preside over the procession throughout the streets until they reach a homeless shelter. There, Pope Francis will wait for him to impart the Eucharistic blessing. The route isn't even a mile long.
Compared to historic Roman churches, Santa María Consolatrice is a young church. It is only 75 years old. Still, many popes have visited it. The last was Benedict XVI, but John Paul II and Paul VI also made a trip.
Last year Corpus Christi was celebrated in Ostia, outside of Rome. In previous years, Pope Francis celebrated the feast on Thursday in St. John Lateran, Rome's cathedral.
