The President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, will participate in the ceremonies of beatification of John Paul II, in Rome this weekend, as announced by the Vatican on Saturday.
A prayer vigil is scheduled in the evening before Mass on Sunday.
After the ceremony, Faure Gnassingbé and many Heads of State and Government will march past the coffin of the Blessed placed in the basilica. Later they will greet the Pope Benedict XVI briefly in the sacristy, next to the famous statue of the Pietà by Michelangelo.
Not less than 16 heads of state are expected in Rome, including the Presidents of Poland, Honduras, Estonia, Albania and Montenegro.
Pope Benedict XVI received Faure Gnassingbé in audience in January 2008 (photo).
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