ONLINE: The Pope will also visit Luník IX. It starts in Prešov, thousands of people are waiting for it – PRAVDA.sk

The program of Pope Francis’ visit on Tuesday continues in eastern Slovakia – Prešov and Košice are next.

Thousands of people have been waiting for Pope Francis in Prešov since the morning.

9:24 In the area in front of the Municipal Sports Hall in Prešov, 40,000 people are waiting for Pope Franišek. They to the closed area between the river Torysa and the street of John Paul II. they gradually came from the early morning hours. Although the holy divine liturgy in the Byzantine ceremony begins at 10.30, security checks opened at 6 o’clock in the morning.

There were great councils at the three entrances to the complex, but the atmosphere among the waiting believers was calm. Along with the nice weather, a large number of volunteers and music playing from a smaller stage next to the main stage complex helped. In addition to the religious songs of various priests, the well-known musician Ondrej Kandráč also shortened the wait for people to sing.

VIDEO: Everything is ready for Holy Mass in Prešov.

A documentary about the weeping Klokočov icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary was also played, which also captured the difficult times of Greek Catholics during the socialist period.

The arrival of Pope Francis is expected half an hour before the liturgy begins. Already an hour and a half before the beginning of the liturgy of St. Ján Zlatoústeho, the entrances to the complex were closed.

The Pope last visited the second largest city in East Slovakia in June 1995. At that time, John Paul II was in Prešov. met with Greek Catholic believers.

In Slovakia, the Holy Father will visit Bratislava, Prešov, Košice and Šaštín in less than four days. The program of the journey will culminate in Šaštín, where a Holy Mass with the homily of the Holy Father will take place.

9:14 Pope Francis arrived on Tuesday morning as part of his visit to Slovakia to the east of the country. He travels from Košice Airport to Prešov, where he will concelebrate the Holy Liturgy. Later, he will meet the Roma community in Košice on Luník IX and young people at the Lokomotiva Stadium.

9:00 Thousands of people have been waiting for Pope Francis in Prešov since the morning. The area where Mass will be served has been open since midnight.