Pope Francis Visited Washington

Here's What You Need to Know

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Watch some of the top videos of the Pope's visit:

Behind the Scenes - Preparing for the Pope
The White House prepares to welcome Pope Francis at the largest arrival ceremony that the Obama administration has held.
The President Welcomes the Pope to the White House
President Obama delivers remarks welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis to the White House during the Pope's first visit to the United States. September 23, 2015.
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Follow Along with the Pope's Trip

See photos of the visit.

Words from Pope Francis:

From the arrival ceremony:

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From the arrival ceremony setup:

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Behind the Scenes - Preparing for the Pope
The White House prepares to welcome Pope Francis at the largest arrival ceremony that the Obama administration has held.
Live 1 - from alex

A digital exchange between President Obama and Pope Francis:

Pope Francis arrives in the United States:

The Schedule

For up-to-date information about road closures and security announcements for Washington, D.C., New York, and Philadelphia, please visit www.secretservice.gov/events/pope/.




Tuesday, September 22, 2015


4:00 PM: 

Pope Francis arrives in D.C. at Joint Base Andrews.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015


9:15 AM:

White House Arrival Ceremony and personal meeting with President Obama (watch it live here at WH.gov/popevisit).

The White House Arrival Ceremony is not open to the public. Guests must have a ticket to attend.

11:00 AM:

Following the Pope’s meeting with the President, he will tour the Ellipse and parts of the National Mall.

There are no tickets required for the papal parade, but security around the secure area will be strict. Gates will open at 4 a.m. and close promptly at 10 a.m. after which no one will be allowed in the secure area. For more information on the parade route and access, visit the Archdiocese of Washington's website here.

There will be four entrances to the parade viewing area, including:

  • East of the Ellipse on Constitution Avenue
  • West of the Ellipse on Constitution Avenue
  • East of the Washington Monument near Jefferson Drive and 15th Streets NW
  • West of the Washington Monument near 17th Street NW

11:30 AM:

Midday Prayer with U.S. bishops at Saint Matthew’s Cathedral in D.C.

This event will be closed to the public

4:15 PM:

Junipero Serra Canonization Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Tickets to the Mass will be distributed through local parishes. The Catholic University Campus will be closed to members of the public during the Mass.

Thursday, September 24, 2015


9:20 AM:

Speech to the Senate and House of Representatives (Joint Session of Congress). The speech will be broadcast live on jumbotrons on the West Lawn of the Capitol.

11:15 AM:

Visit to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C. and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

After his visit to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C. and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, the Pope will travel to New York.

4:00 PM:

Departure for New York from Joint Base Andrews (D.C.)

5:00 PM:

Arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)

6:45 PM:

Evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York)

Friday, September 25, 2015


8:30 AM:

Address to United Nations General Assembly

11:30 AM:

Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center

4:00 PM:

Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem

5:00 PM:

Papal motorcade through Central Park

6:00 PM:

Madison Square Garden Mass

Saturday, September 26, 2015


8:30 AM:

On the morning of Saturday, September 26 to the Pope will travel from New York to Philadelphia, the final stop on his trip to the United States.

8:40 AM:

Departure for Philadelphia from John F. Kennedy International Airport

9:30 AM:

Arrival in Atlantic Aviation hangar at Philadelphia International Airport Philadelphia

10:30 AM:

Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

4:45 PM:

Visit to Independence Mall

7:30 PM:

Visit to Festival of Families at Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Prayer Vigil with World Meeting of Families.

Access to certain areas of the parkway will require tickets, but tickets are not necessary to attend this day’s events. Forty jumbotrons, located down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and other locations in the city, will show the events live, including the public coverage of Pope Francis. For more information about attending this event, visit their website here.

Sunday, September 27, 2015


9:15 AM:

Papal meeting with Bishops at St. Martin’s Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

11:00 AM:

Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. This event will be closed to the public.

4:00 PM:

Papal Mass for World Meeting of Families

7:00 PM:

Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families at Atlantic Aviation.

8:00 PM:

Departure for return to Rome.

Answers to Questions About the Pope's Visit

  When will the Pope visit the White House?

 

  How can I participate in the arrival of the Pope at the White House?

 

  Will the Pope’s arrival ceremony be broadcast online?

 

  What will the Pope and President Obama discuss?

 

  I’m a member of the Press. How do I obtain credentials to cover the Pope’s visit to the White House?

 

  Where can I watch the Pope's visit online?

 

  Where can I get information about getting around Washington, DC during Pope Francis' visit?

 

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