At 17.00 this afternoon, in the Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father Francis will preside at a penitential liturgical celebration for the Reconciliation of a dozen penitents with confession and individual absolution.

The celebration precedes the special penitential moment, entitled “24 Hours for the Lord”, organised by the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation. This year the theme of the initiative will be “I desire mercy” (Matthew 9:13), and will take place, in many dioceses around the world on 24 and 25 March 2017, on the eve of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday.