Popemobile Routes Announced

April 08, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI will travel the streets of Washington via popemobile on April 16 and 17, giving thousands of people the opportunity to see him during his first papal visit to the nation’s capital.

Following a meeting with President Bush at the White House on April 16, the Holy Father will leave the White House in the popemobile at approximately noon via East Executive Avenue, travel west on Pennsylvania Avenue past Washington Circle, and then north on Rock Creek Parkway before exiting at Massachusetts Avenue. He will conclude his trip at the papal nunciature located at Observatory Circle where he will enjoy a lunch with the United States cardinals and others in honor of his 81st birthday.

At 5:15 p.m., he will travel via popemobile from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters at 3211 Fourth Street NE north on Fourth Street to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where he will meet with 350 bishops from around the United States. The public will be able to line the route along the west side of Fourth Street and on Michigan Avenue near the Basilica. The grounds of the Basilica are by ticket only.

On April 17, the more than 46,000 participants at the Papal Mass hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington at Nationals Park will greet the pontiff as he drives around the field in the popemobile prior to Mass.

That evening, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the Holy Father will take his last popemobile ride in Washington from the campus of The Catholic University of America through the south side of campus, north along the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, then north on Harewood Road to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center where he will meet with representatives of other religions. Viewing along this route is by ticket primarily for the Catholic University community.

“We have had tremendous interest in the Holy Father’s visit, receiving nearly 200,000 inquiries for tickets just to the Mass,” said Msgr. Barry Knestout, vicar for administration of the Archdiocese of Washington. “The popemobile routes will give thousands of people an opportunity to see the Holy Father and to wish him happy birthday.”

Contact:
Susan Gibbs
Director of Communications
301-853-4517
gibbss@adw.org

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The Office of Communications is the Archdiocese of Washington’s point of contact for media, and can provide information as well as arrange interviews.