Pope Leo XIV to visit San Marino and Italy's Adriatic coast

Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on a significant visit to Italy, with scheduled stops in the micro-state of San Marino and the coastal city of Rimini. This trip is part of a broader series of summer engagements across the Italian peninsula. On Saturday, the pontiff will begin his day in San Marino, the world's oldest republic, located within the Apennine Mountains. He is scheduled to meet with San Marino's authorities, lead a prayer at the Basilica di San Marino, and venerate the relics of the nation's patron saint. Following his morning in San Marino, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Rimini, a popular Adriatic seaside resort. There, he will attend the "Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples," an annual political-cultural forum organized by the Catholic movement Communion and Liberation. This event, established in 1980, has become a major Catholic and cultural gathering in Italy, historically serving as a hub for Christian democratic influence. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer for conferences, exhibitions, and debates that bridge religion, politics, culture, and societal issues. The Pope's participation marks only the second time a pontiff has attended the Meeting, following Pope John Paul II in 1982. Organizers have expressed great anticipation, calling the visit an "immense gift" and stating their eagerness to be surprised by his presence and testimony. The 47th edition of the Meeting runs from August 21 to 26 and features speakers such as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Italian Pizzaballa, and the parish priest of Gaza, Father Gabriel Romanelli. After viewing an exhibition on Saint Augustine, Pope Leo XIV will address attendees at 4:00 PM. He will then visit the city's cathedral to interact with the sick and disabled before presiding over an open-air Mass at the port square in the early evening. This visit follows recent papal stops in Lampedusa, Assisi, and Pavia.