Benin declares Friday public holiday as Pope Benedict XVI visits - The Beninese government declared Friday, 18 November, a holiday to enable the people to warmly welcome Pope Benedict XVI, expected in Cotonou, the capital, in the afternoon.

The three-day Papal visit, in celebration of the 150 years of Benin’s relationship with the Vatican, is the third by a Pope to Benin.

Pope Jean Paul II visited the country in 1982 and 1993.

Pope Benedict's visit will be mainly marked by the signing of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation of the second special general assembly for Africa of the Synod of bishops.

The Pope will be met on arrival by President Yayi Boni and the Apostolic Nuncio for Benin and Togo, Michael Blum.

From the airport, the Papal delegation will be received by the pilgrims in a few trunk roads in Cotonou before proceeding to Notre-Dame des Miséricordes Cathedral.

On Saturday, the second day of the visit, the Pope will meet with government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the main religions in the country.

The Pope will later visit Ouidah, to sit in silence at the grave of Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, who was orgained cardinal at the same time with him.

Priests, seminarians, nuns and other secular faithfuls to the Saint Gall Grand Seminary will take their turns in meetings with the pontiff.

He will also visit the 'Basilica of the Virgin Mary' in Ouidah for the signing of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation.

On Saturday evening, the Pope will pay a visit to the children of the 'Peace and Joy Hostel of the Missionaries of Charity' at Ste Rita parish in Cotonou.

The Pope will end his visit with a holy mass at the Cotonou Friendship Stadium before a congregation of 35,000 people.

Before leaving Cotonou on Sunday evening, the Pope will meet members of the Special Council for Africa of the bishops Synod General Secretariat.

Pana 18/11/2011