Pope Francis will be covering short-distance public appearances during his 4-day (Jan 18-21, 2018) Peru tour aboard a popemobile for security matters, Labor and Employment Promotion Minister Alfonso Grados informed Tuesday.
"The Supreme Pontiff covers some distances in
popemobile —to have a closer contact with the population— and some in a closed vehicle. There will be a popemobile here in Peru, but it will be for short, rather than long distances," Minister Grados told local RPP TV and radio station.
In this sense, Grados highlighted Pope Francis will have plenty of contact with the public during his various activities, like large services.
Regarding visit arrangements, the Labor Head informed a Vatican delegation is to arrive in Peru in coming weeks to coordinate security matters.
"There will be a series of protocol measures and needs we must meet directly with our people, as a country."
Itinerary
As for the Pope's trip schedule, Minister Grados explained papal visit plans are set by the Holy See rather than the hosting nation, given the series of "demands and needs" of the Bishop of Rome.
In this respect, he noted the Vatican's advance visit —ended last Sunday— involved the preparation of a tentative schedule, defining times and priorities.
"Specific details are yet to be determined, especially in the case of larger activities that are more complex to manage […]," he explained.
Lastly, he reiterated the Pope's choice of Puerto Maldonado city is driven by his intention to get closer to native Amazon communities and see people's relation with nature.
The decision to visit northern Trujillo, on the other hand, owes to his wish to meet with those affected by "
Coastal El Niño" phenomenon disasters earlier this year.
Last March, His Holiness
sent a contribution of US$100,000 to Peru as an expression of love and sympathy with the Andean nation to tackle "Coastal El Niño" phenomenon.
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