Yesterday Thursday, 11 August, the Pope made an unscheduled visit in the late afternoon to the small church of Santa Maria in the Porclaneta Valley, in the city of  Rosciolo di Magliano dei Marsi, which is located in the province of L'Aquila. He was accompanied by his brother Mons. Georg and his Assistant Personal Secretary Mons. Alfred Xuereb. The parish priest Fr Vincenzo Angeloni and Fr Claide Berardi welcomed the Holy Father to the characteristic temple of Benedictine origin which dates back to the 11th century. Once he had visited the splendid church at the foot of Mount Velino, the Pontiff lead the recitation of Vespers of St Clare. Before leaving the valley, Benedict XVI walked briefly along the paths of Mount Velino. Just after 8:30 p.m. the Pope returned to Castel Gandolfo.