This weekend, Catholics are gathering at the Vatican to celebrate John Paul II's encyclical Evangelium Vitae. Details about the festivities, titled “Believing May They Have Life”, were revealed at a press conference on May 28. "We have given it this name to testify to the grand theme that revolves around the Church’s commitment to the promotion, respect, and dignity of human life," said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

The Archbishop explained that the schedule will follow the pattern of other weekend gatherings for the Year of Faith. On Saturday morning, several churches in Rome will host catechesis sessions in various languages. Then in the afternoon, pilgrims will visit St. Peter's tomb before having an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and adore the Blessed Sacrament. The event concludes with Mass on Sunday morning, presided by Pope Francis. S+L will televise the Mass with English translation at 11:00am ET/8:00am PT, repeating at 5:30pm ET/2:30pm PT. - Credit: CNS photo/Paul Haring