Dear Blog Visitors:
The following is the itinerary for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States in April. I plan to produce a series of videos in advance of his visit, which can be viewed at www.youtube.com/priestray.
It is my hope a press conference hosted by married priests and women priests will be scheduled during the pontiff's stay in New York.
POPE'S ITINERARY
Tuesday, April 15
Arrival at Andrews Air Force Base. Greeting by President Bush and Mrs. Bush. Also present will be local dignitaries of the church and the apostolic nuncio.
Wednesday, April 16, 10:30 a.m.
President Bush and the First Lady meet the Holy Father on the south lawn of the White House. This is only the second time in history that a pontiff has visited the White House. At the end of the welcoming ceremony, a private meeting is scheduled for the Holy Father and the President, while dignitaries of the two states also meet.
Wednesday, April 16, 5:30 p.m.
Private prayer service and meeting with the 350 bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Before the prayer service, which will be held in the crypt of the Shrine, there will be outdoor photo opportunities of the public welcoming the pope to this national church.
Thursday, April 17, 10:00 a.m.
The pope will offer Mass at the new Nationals Park in Washington. This will be the first non-baseball event in the park, and Catholics from around the country are making plans to attend.
Thursday, April 17, 5 p.m.
The heads of the more than 200 Catholic colleges and universities in the United States and superintendents from the 195 Catholic dioceses have been invited to an address by Pope Benedict XVI on the importance of Catholic education. The address will be on the campus of The Catholic University of America, the only college in the United States operated by the bishops.
Thursday, April 17, 6:30 p.m.
Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindi, Jews and representatives of other religions will gather with the Holy Father for a prayer service at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, next door to Catholic University.
Friday, April 18, 10:45 a.m.
Pope Benedict XVI will address the United Nations, after an early morning flight to New York.
Friday, April 18, 6 p.m.
Prayer service with leaders from other Christian denominations at St. Joseph's Church, founded by German Catholics, in Manhattan.
Saturday, April 19, 9:15 a.m.
Mass for priests, deacons and members of religious orders at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the heart of New York City.
Saturday, April 19, 4:30 p.m.
The Holy Father will meet with young Catholics, including 50 youngsters with a range of disabilities, at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. Thousands of young people, including hundreds of seminarians, are expected to participate in a rally/prayer service and to hear the pope speak.
Sunday, April 20, 9:30 a.m.
The Holy Father will visit Ground Zero, the site of the disaster at the World Trade Center.
Sunday, April 20, 2:30 p.m.
Mass at Yankee Stadium will bring this historic visit to a close. The 200th anniversary of the Baltimore Archdiocese’s designation as an archdiocese, as well as the birth of four dioceses – Boston, New York, Louisville and Philadelphia – will be highlighted during the Mass.
Sunday, April 20, 8 p.m.
Shepherd One lifts off from John F. Kennedy airport in the Brooklyn Diocese, heading east to the Eternal City.
