Pope set to travel for first time since pandemic began
Pope Francis is preparing to visit Assisi next month, on his first trip outside Rome since Italy was put in a strict coronavirus lockdown in early March.
On Oct. 3, the day before the Feast of St. Francis, the pope will travel to the small central Italy town to sign a new encyclical, the Vatican announced Saturday.
Assisi is located about 110 miles north of Vatican City.
Francis is scheduled to arrive at the Sacred Convent in the early afternoon, where he will celebrate Holy Mass at the tomb of Saint Francis, who was also born there.
