Pope Francis Visits America — Presides Over Special Mass for Junipero Serra [UPDATED]
UPDATE 4:15 p.m. EST: The Pope is currently presiding at the celebration of Holy Mass for the canonization of Junipero Serra, a Franciscan friar in the 18th century.
UPDATE 12:15 p.m. EST: Pope Francis is now conducting the Midday Prayer at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington.
Original story starts here:
Pope Francis arrived in Washington, D.C., for his first visit to the United States on Tuesday afternoon around 4 o'clock, where he was met by President Obama and Vice President Biden at Andrews Air Force Base.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be live-streaming all of the Pope's televised activities here, though many news networks will be doing the same at his various stops in Washington, New York City and Philadelphia. (Here is ABC-New York's live-streaming landing page, for example.)
Below is a full schedule of the Pope's upcoming activities in the U.S.:
Tuesday, September 22: Washington, D.C.
- 4:00 p.m. Arrival from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews
Wednesday, Sept. 23: Washington
- 9:15 a.m. Welcome ceremony and meeting with President Obama at the White House
- 11:00 a.m. Papal Parade along the Ellipse and the National Mall (time approximate)
- 11:30 a.m. Midday Prayer with the bishops of the United States, St. Matthew's Cathedral
- 4:15 p.m. Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Thursday, Sept. 24: Washington, New York City
- 9:20 a.m. Address to Joint Meeting of the United States Congress
- 11:15 a.m. Visit to St. Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
- 4:00 p.m. Depart from Joint Base Andrews
- 5:00 p.m. Arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport
- 6:45 p.m. Evening Prayer (Vespers) at St. Patrick's Cathedral
Friday, Sept. 25: New York City
- 8:30 a.m. Visit to the United Nations and Address to the United Nations General Assembly
- 11:30 a.m. Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center
- 4:00 p.m. Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem
- 5:00 p.m. Procession through Central Park (time approximate)
- 6:00 p.m. Mass at Madison Square Garden
Saturday, Sept. 26: New York City, Philadelphia
- 8:40 a.m. Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
- 9:30 a.m. Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia
- 10:30 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
- 4:45 p.m. Visit to Independence Mall
- 7:30 p.m. Visit to the Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Sunday, Sept. 27: Philadelphia
- 9:15 a.m. Meeting with bishops at St. Martin's Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
- 11:00 a.m. Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
- 4:00 p.m. Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- 7:00 p.m. Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation
- 8:00 p.m. Departure for Rome