Vatican Releases Pope's Itinerary for D.C. Visit

Pope Francis will meet with the powerful, the disadvantaged and the incarcerated during his visit to Washington, D.C., and two other cities in the fall.

The Vatican has just announced a detailed itinerary for the pontiff’s September trip to the region, along with stops in New York and Philadelphia.

Pope Francis plans to visit the United States for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. The Washington Post reports the pontiff will visit an elementary school in East Harlem, and a correctional facility in Philadelphia, as well as meeting with President Obama and speaking to Congress.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says this is the pontiff’s schedule for the Washington, D.C., leg of his trip:

Sept. 22

• Arrival at Andrews Air Force Base from Cuba, 4 p.m.

Sept. 23

• Meet President Obama at White House, 9:15 a.m.
• Prayer with the bishops of the United States, St. Matthew’s Cathedral, 11:30 a.m.
• Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra, Basilicia of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 24

• Speak to Joint Session of Congress, 9:20 a.m.
• Visit to St. Patrick in the City and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, 11:15 a.m.
• Depart from Joint Base Andrews, 4 p.m.

(All times are Eastern.)

The former cardinal from Argentina was elected the 266th pope on March 13, 2013. He is the first non-European pope elected since the year 741. He chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.