Advisory for telecasters

WASHINGTON—The Pontifical Council for Social Communications has announced its Worldwide Telecasts for April-May, 2011. In addition to the traditional Holy Week and Easter liturgies, this year the telecast will also include the beatification ceremonies of Pope John Paul II.

A U.S. domestic satellite distribution will be used by the Vatican for its two worldwide broadcasts on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to allow local television networks and outlets to pick up the broadcasts without difficulty. The Pontifical Council for Social Communications offers this service free of charge to all broadcasters through Eurovision World Feed.

This year, there will be three seasonal global broadcasts: the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday, April 22; the Easter Sunday Mass immediately followed by the Message and Blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and to the World) from St. Peter’s Square on April 24; and the Holy Mass and Beatification of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II on May 1, also from St. Peter’s Square.

Television commentary in English, Spanish and French will be provided on satellite audio channels. Commentary in other languages may be available from Vatican Radio via ISDN. Distribution is limited and may be requested from the International Relations Office of Vatican Radio @email (tel. +39 06 698 83945) which will provide them on a

first come, first served basis.

Satellite and parameters for U.S. telecasters are: Galaxy 17 @ 91° W.

Additionally, all other Holy Week and Easter Triduum celebrations will be made available free of charge to Catholic broadcasters in Europe and the Americas.

For Eurovision’s World Feed Desk, contact @email; tel. +41 22 717 2822; fax +41 22 747 4822.

For television commentary positions in Vatican City contact RAI Eurovision, at @email; tel. +39 06 3317-1151 / 52; fax + 39 06 3317-0053.

For International Telephone Services contact Telecom Italia Sparkle at @email; tel. +39 06 5274-4067; Fax +39 06 5274-4413.

For all other inquiries, please contact Thaddeus Jones at the Pontifical Council for Communications. Email: @email; tel. +39 06 698 91810; fax +39 06 698 91840.

Visit www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm regularly for updates on the telecasts.

The schedule of Vatican worldwide telecasts for April-May 2011 is attached.

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Keywords: Vatican, telecast, Easter, Holy Week, Urbi et Orbi, John Paul II, beatification, Pontifical Council for Social Communications

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