Washington D.C., Jan 31, 2008 / 23:05 pm
Pope Benedict XVI’s itinerary for his first papal visit to the United States has been released and includes a wide range of events. The Holy Father will visit with the President, meet with 350 bishops from around the U.S. and address Catholic educators among other commitments.
The Pope will arrive in Washington on Tuesday, April 15. Upon arrival he will meet with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, and the next day he will visit the White House.
On April 16, Pope Benedict will also hold a prayer service and meeting with the 350 bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Thursday morning, the Pope will celebrate Mass at the Nationals Park in Washington, the first non-baseball event in the park. Later that day, he will visit Catholic University of America to deliver an address both to the heads of more than 200 Catholic colleges and universities and to school superintendents from 195 Catholic dioceses.