Papal Legate for John Nepomucene Neumann Saintsday

On April 18, 2011, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI appointed the archbishop of Philadelphia, cardinal Justin Francis Rigali as the papal legate to represent the Pope in the National Pilgrimage in Honour of St. John Nepomucene Neumann in Prachatice, Czech Republic, on June 18, 2011. The Pilgrimage is to cap the celebrations of the Czech saint's 200th birth anniversary.

Rome/Prachatice: This year's celebrations in honour of St. John Nepomucene Neumann will culminate in a nation-wide pilgrimage to Prachatice celebrated by the papal legate, cardinal Justin Francis Rigali who has been appointed by His Holiness Benedict XVI. Czech and Moravian bishops have also chosen Prachatice as the place of their regular plenary assembly (June 16-17, 2011).

John Nepomucene Neumann was born on March 21, 1811 in Prachatice. During his life, he became renowned in the USA where he recieved the sacrament of priesthood and was later ordained bishop in Philadelphia, the current seat of the papal legate to the National Pilgrimage, archbishop Rigali. Until this day, he is considered to be the founder of church education in the USA.

The papal legate, who is appointed by the Pope himself, is his representative in ecclesiastical or diplomatic matters and he is also entitled to act in the pope's name. Cardinal Rigali's bibliography is available on the website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.