(ANS - Vatican City) - "I am pleased to announce that, God willing, on 21 June next year, I will go on a pilgrimage to Turin to venerate the Holy Shroud and honour St. John Bosco on the Bicentenary of his birth." Pope Francis himself announced this to the faithful at the end of the general audience today, 5 November. A press conference on the same subject took place this morning in the Press Office of the Holy See.

The conference was attended by Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin who is the Papal Custodian of the Shroud; the Major and the Deputy Mayor of Turin, the Hon. Piero Fassino and Ms Elis Tisi; and Doctor Marco Bonatti, Communications Officer of the Committee for the Exposition of the Shroud in 2015. Fr Francesco Cereda, Vicar of the Rector Major, represented the Salesians.

According to Archbishop Nosiglia: "The display of the Shroud in Turin Cathedral has special significance for two reasons: it draws attention to the world of young people and to people who are suffering. It was with these issues in mind that Pope Francis granted the solemn exposition, which is linked to the Jubilee for the Bicentenary of the Birth of St. John Bosco."     

The Archbishop, as Papal Custodian of the Shroud, also explained the theme of the 2015 Exposition which incorporates a Gospel passage: "No Greater Love" (Jn 15, 13). Attending the exhibition of the Shroud does not mean contemplating a dead man but rather a living  man who leads to a greater love."

The logo is a symbol and guide to the Exposition. It connects the words of the motto with the Face on the Shroud. The final logo was made free of charge by Agenzia Testa working on proposals and ideas of young people in Turin.

Tomorrow 6 November, there will be another press conference in Turin, during which Archbishop Nosiglia and Ms Tisi will outline the booking system for visits, the new website, the communication campaign and the next steps relating to the Exposition.

Published 05/11/2014