Vatican Releases Pope's Itinerary for U.S. Visit

Pope Francis will meet with the powerful, the disadvantaged and the incarcerated during his visit to the United States in the fall.

The Vatican has just announced a detailed itinerary for the pontiff’s September trip to Washington, D.C., 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, speak to the United Nations in New York, as well as meet with President Obama and speak to Congress.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says this is the pontiff’s full schedule for the U.S. trip:

Sept. 22 (Washington, D.C.)

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

Sept. 23 (Washington, D.C.)

• 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 (Washington/New York)

• 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.

Sept. 25 (New York)

• Visit to the United Nations and Address to the United Nations General Assembly, 8:30 a.m.
• Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center, 11:30 a.m.
• Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem, 4 p.m.
• Mass at Madison Square Garden, 6 p.m.

Sept. 26 (New York/Philadelphia)

• Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport, 8:40 a.m.
• Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia, 9:30 a.m.
• Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, 10:30 a.m.
• Visit to Independence Mall, 4:45 p.m.
• Visit to the Festival of Families, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 (Philadelphia)

• Meeting with bishops at St. Martin’s Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, 9:15 a.m.
• Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, 11 a.m.
• Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, 4 p.m.
• Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation, 7 p.m.
• Departure for Rome, 8 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.