Pope Francis’s Papal Visit to USA: Itinerary Leaked As Fans Await Arrival!
Since he began to lead the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Francis always makes sure to visit various countries around the world to fulfill his duties as a preacher of the Word of God. He had been to fifteen countries to date, visiting nations from Asia, Europe, and South America. And today, Pope Francis' visit to USA will be his sixteenth official pastoral visit in his reign as the head of the Catholic Church.
Shortly before Pope Francis' visit to USA, the official itinerary has been released both from the official website of the event and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. All schedules follow EST:
Tuesday, September 22 (today): Washington
The Pope departed from Santiago Airport in Cuba after the blessing of the city of Santiago. He is expected to arrive at 4 pm at Joint Base Andrews. His official activities will start the next day.
Wednesday, September 23: Washington
For Pope Francis' visit to the USA, he is scheduled to a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House at 9:00 am. Afterwards he will participate in pope mobile parade around Ellipse outside the White House, followed by a midday prayer at 11:30 am with the bishops of the United States at St. Matthew's Cathedral.
The pope mobile parade will then resume at around 3:50 to 4 pm, with the route going to Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra will conclude the papal activities.
Thursday, September 24: Washington and New York
Around 10 to 10:35 am, Pope Francis will address the joint session of Congress, and at 11:15 am he will visit St. Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington. He is scheduled to leave from Joint Base Andrews at 4 pm for New York, arriving an hour later at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
An open motorcade on Fifth Avenue will be held at 6 pm from 55th St. to St. Patrick's Cathedral, followed by the evening prayer (Vespers) at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Friday, September 25: New York
Continuing Pope Francis' visit to USA, he is scheduled to arrive at 8:30 am at the United Nations General Assembly, wherein he will address the delegates at around 10:20-10:50 am. A multi-religious service will follow at around 11:30 am and 12:25 pm at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center and Foundation Hall in honor of the 9/11 tragedy.
The Pope will then resume his official visit at 4 pm with a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem. The open motorcade will follow shortly after an hour, touring West Drive and Central Park. A 6 pm Mass at Madison Square Garden will conclude this day's activities.
Saturday, September 26: New York and Philadelphia
Pope Francis will leave New York at 8:40 am from John F. Kennedy International Airport, arriving at 9:30 am at Atlantic Aviation. There will be a scheduled Mass at 10:30 am up to 12:30 pm at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.
In the afternoon, he will visit the Independence Hall at 4:05 pm and then resume his activities at 8 pm with a visit to the Festival of Families in Benjamin Franklin Parkway. He is expected to give his remarks before 9 p.m.
Sunday, September 27: Philadelphia
For Pope Francis's last day of visit to the USA, he will start off with a meeting at 9:15 am with bishops at St. Martin's Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He will then visit the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility at 11 am. The final open motorcade will start at 3:35 pm with routes going along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway will start at 4 pm with an estimated end time of 6:15 pm. Shortly, he will visit the organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families and meets with Vice President Joe Biden and family at Atlantic Aviation.
The Pope is scheduled to depart for Rome at 8 pm, concluding his official visit to USA.
