Dolan said Francis was intrigued by the idea of visiting the city but was nervous about his English speaking ability.
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The theme of the Pope’s visit to the Archdiocese of Washington is “Share the Joy, Walk with Francis”.
The announcement also included news of the pope’s planned visit with prison inmates of Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in northeast Philadelphia.
The pope’s arrival to the United States from Cuba sends something of a diplomatic message to leaders of the two nations. He suggested that Francis will speak about religious freedom and said the itinerary is comprised of “powerful public moments with more intimate gatherings that are deeply grace filled”.
The pontiff will arrive in Washington on September 22, and meet with President Barack Obama the next day.
At St. Matthew’s Cathedral, where Wuerl spoke with reporters Tuesday, the pope will meet with USA bishops.
Louisville, Kentucky, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the pope’s visit to the U.S.is “a source of joy and gratitude”.
Francis will also preside over a vespers service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden.
The pope has described Serra, a Spaniard who died in 1784, as part of a missionary corps that “went out to all the geographical, social and existential peripheries” to spread the faith among Native Americans. Peter and Paul and give a talk on religious liberty and meet with immigrants at Independence Hall.
Large viewing screens are to be arrange on the college’s campus, and the Mass will probably be in Spanish, Francis’ native language, Wuerl stated.
Another theme that comes through in this first official itinerary is that the Argentine-born pontiff, the first pope from Latin America, will make Latino Catholicism a centerpiece of this visit.
The last papal visit to Philadelphia was John Paul II’s trip to the city in 1979. “We’ll see if he follows local customs”. “It validates that we are the national Catholic University”. This is the pope’s first visit to the US.
– Celebrates Mass in the minor Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, Santiago. Walter R. Rossi, the rector of the Basilica of the National Shine of the Immaculate Conception.
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In its natural form, coca leaves have a mild stimulant effect considered similar to coffee, and they can be chewed or brewed into tea to fight hunger, exhaustion or altitude sickness – likely the reason Pope Francis might partake of the plant upon his arrival in the country.
