What Is Pope Francis' Schedule in DC?

By MARY ANN BARTON (Patch Staff)

Pope Francis and President Obama at the Vatican last year; White House photo

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Here’s a look at Pope Francis’ schedule during his visit this week to the nation’s capital:

Tuesday, Sept. 22

At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Washington D.C., at the Joint Base Andrews military facility. This will be the pope’s first stop for his visit to the United States before he travels on to New York and Philadelphia.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

On Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. Pope Francis will arrive at the White House in Washington D.C. for a state arrival ceremony. (Watch it live here.) He will be the third pope to have ever visited the White House. The event will be held on the South Lawn of the White House with President Barack Obama and numerous other government officials in attendance.

Parade

After his visit to the White House, the Pope will travel in a parade along 15th Street, Constitution Avenue and 17th Street, NW in the Popemobile. People wishing to see the pontiff are invited to line the streets around the Ellipse and the National Mall as he drives by in the Popemobile.

The parade will begin around 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public on a first-come first-serve basis. However, spectators will need to pass through security, with gates opening for the Ellipse and the National Mall at 4 a.m. on Wednesday and closing at 10 a.m.

No one will be admitted into the area after 10 a.m. No food or drink may be brought in from the outside, but concessions will be available for purchase. Once inside the perimeter, attendees will not be allowed to leave and re-enter until the Holy Father’s Popemobile parade is complete.

There are multiple entrances to the 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

Midday Prayer

After the parade, at 11:30 a.m., Pope Francis will pray the midday prayer from the Liturgy of Hours, the daily form of prayer of the Catholic Church, with bishops from the United States at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. The church is located at 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW.

Spanish mass canonizing Spanish-born Franciscan Friar

At 4:15 p.m., Pope Francis will celebrate Mass on the east portico of theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the University Mall at The Catholic University of America. During Mass, Pope Francis will be canonizing Blessed Junipero Serra, a Spanish-born Franciscan Friar known for starting nine Spanish missions in California in the 1700s. The mass is only open to those with tickets; many streets surrounding the area will be closed.

Thursday, Sept. 24

First-ever address by Pope to Congress

• 10 a.m.: The Senate and House welcome the pope in a joint session. He will make the first-ever address to Congress.
• 11 a.m.: He makes a stop on the Capitol’s West Front, which overlooks the National Mall.
• 11:15 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Catholic Charities host the Pope and 60 parishioners.
• 4 p.m. The Pope departs from Joint Base Andrews to New York

Everyone is encouraged to follow the Archdiocese of Washington’s Twitter handle@WashArchdiocese, and use the hashtag for the papal visit #PopeInDC.