INTERVIEW
48 hours before St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Lourdes will reopen on Saturday, but only partially. It is therefore the end of the longest closure in history for this sanctuary frequented each year by millions of people. However, the Grotto where, according to the Catholic religion the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, will not be accessible to the public. But who cares, this "reopening is a great joy" for the rector of the sanctuary, Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, guest of the "Grand journal du soir" this Friday.
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"The whole sanctuary will not be open, but pilgrims will be able to make the usual gestures of the Lourdes sanctuary, such as taking water, confessing, lighting a candle." But the faithful will have to meditate in front of the Cave, and not at the foot as it is customary, "he said. Because, Covid-19 requires, this partial reopening is accompanied by a number of rules. Because of the travel limit of 100 kilometers, only local pilgrims will be able to go to the sanctuary. They will be greeted by "hospitallers, those who usually welcome sick pilgrims, and will be asked to wear a mask, to respect distances protections, and not to gather more than 10 people. "
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