Pope Benedict’s U.S. visit is official, popemobile to be rolled out in D.C.

Vatican City, Feb 8, 2008 / 12:22 pm

The Vatican officially confirmed today that Pope Benedict XVI will pay his first visit to the United States April 15-20.

The papal trip will include a visit to Washington D.C., where he will meet with President Bush, and an address at the United Nations headquarters in New York. (For a detailed itinerary click here)

In another development, the Washington Post is reporting that when the Holy Father is in the nation’s capital he will make two trips in his popemobile.

According to the Archdiocese of Washington, the decision will allow people who can't get to the papal Mass at the Washington Nationals ballpark to see him travel the streets in his outfitted vehicle.

The original itinerary did not call for the Pope to make any public appearances other than the Mass, but the archdiocese says the Vatican has changed its mind. The routes for the popemobile trips have not been finalized.