The Pope's Nuncio visits the venues where Benedict XVI will preside the WMF (15-12-05)

VALENCIA Yesterday morning His Holiness's apostolic Nuncio in Spain, Monsignor Manuel Monteiro de Castro, visited the grounds of the City of Arts and Science and the installations of the "Feria Valencia" where the main events of the 5th World Meeting of the Families (WMF) will be held. The WMF was convoked by the Pope in Valencia from 1st to 9th July, 2006.

Monsignor Manuel Monteiro was reported to be "very satisfied and thrilled" with the selected stages, the pace of the preparation within the diocese and the collaboration of the various administrations.

The most important diplomatic representative of the Holy See in Spain visited the Palau de les Arts, accompanied by the Archbishop of Valencia, Monsignor Agustín García-Gasco and by the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barberá. From the building's balconies they were able to look over the exact place where the Pope will rise to the altar for the final mass of the WMF, where he will preside on Sunday 9th July, on the "Puente de les Arts", opposite the Plaza Europa.

The Commissioners of the Founding Organization of the WMF explained to the Nuncio the planned distribution in sectors to accommodate the one and a half million expected people who may participate in both the final Eucharist as well as the festive meeting and testimonial where the Pope will again preside, on the night of Saturday 8th July.

Also accompanying the Nuncio during his tour of the Palau de les Arts were the Head Coordinator of the Palau, Miquel Navarro, the Manager Helga Schmidt as well as Luís Lobón, the Independent Secretary of Events and Projects. Also in attendance were the Commissioners of the Founding Organization of the WMF and Santiago Calatrava, part of the technical team of architects responsible for the building.

Later the group moved to the location of the "Feria Valencia", where its President, Alberto Catalá and the General Director, Belén Juste gave Monteiro de Castro, the Archbishop and the Mayoress a tour round the Events Pavillion where the International Theological and Pastoral Congress of the WMF will be held. The construction is due to be completed by the end of February, 2006, the entity commented. Furthermore, they toured the pavillions where the International Fair for the Families will be held from 1st to 7th July, 2006 within the WMF. They also visited the proposed camp sites for the pilgrims and services.

Alberto Catalá explained that "Feria Valencia" proposes to dedicate one hundred thousand square metres to the installations to accommodate the hundreds of stands where Associations, Foundations, entities and businesses linked to the Family will show their activities in that area.

Similarly, "Feria Valencia" will dedicate another 40,000 square metres to camp sites, rest areas and basic amenities for the participants. Among these amenities will be food stands and nursery, given the "thousands of families with their children" expected to take part.

His Holiness's apostolic Nuncio in Spain continued his visit attending the Moncada Seminar where he blessed the renovation work being carried out on the Priest Training Centre.

///NOTE: For those interested media, images of the NUNCIO's visit to Valencia are available in the the Media Area of the WMF website (www.emf2006.org).///

AVAN