WASHINGTON – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops April 8 announced the routes Pope Benedict XVI will take in his popemobile April 16 and 17 in Washington.
The routes – especially the motorcade that will go west on Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Vatican Embassy, or nunciature – present the best way for the public to see Pope Benedict, the announcement said.
The pope’s schedule during his April 15-17 visit to Washington includes events that require tickets.
Around noon April 16, after the pope’s visit to the White House, the pope will travel in the popemobile to the nunciature on Massachusetts Avenue. From the White House, the route will follow Pennsylvania Avenue to Washington Circle. From there, the motorcade will head toward Massachusetts Avenue through Rock Creek Parkway to the nunciature located across from the U.S. Naval Observatory.
The public generally can see the pope from the sidewalks throughout the route. Sidewalks immediately in front of the White House and Lafayette Park, directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, will be closed to the public. Washington Circle also will be closed as a viewing location.
Later that day, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the pope will board the popemobile for a second motorcade from USCCB headquarters at 3211 Fourth Street N.E., to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception nearby on Michigan Avenue. He will meet with the U.S. bishops at the shrine.
The public can see the pope along this route from the west side of Fourth Street and from the south side of Michigan Avenue in front of and across the street from the shrine.
Sporadic automobile traffic restrictions, or “rolling closures,” will occur during the pope’s April 16 travel times.
On April 17, a third opportunity to see Pope Benedict will be at The Catholic University of America as he travels across campus to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center for an interfaith meeting with religious leaders.
Access to viewing areas on the university’s campus is available only through tickets that the university has made available through local church-sponsored Catholic organizations.
Tickets for the Catholic University campus viewing area are being made available in blocks of 50 or more but only for local Catholic Church-sponsored organizations, including parishes. Submissions for blocks of tickets must be sent by e-mail no later than April 10 to: papalvisit@cua.edu. Those requesting tickets must provide their name, address and affiliation.