The Papal Routes are Announced

The Washington Times' Julia Duin has news from the USCCB announcing the papal motorcade routes. These routes offer the best opportunity for public viewing of the Pope for those who are unable to make it to either the Mass in D.C. or in New York. Here are the details:

Popemobile routes for Pope Benedict XVI, April 16 and 17 in Washington, will include travels along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and Fourth Street, NE. These routes, especially the motorcade west on Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, present the best way for the public to see Pope Benedict. The pope's schedule during his three-day visit to Washington includes events that require tickets.

After the pope's April 16 visit at the White House, around noon, the pope will travel in the popemobile to the Vatican Embassy 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 residence 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 4:15 p.m., the pope will board the popemobile for a second motorcade from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offices, 3211 4th Street NE, to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Michigan Avenue, where he will meet with the U.S. bishops. The public can see the pope along this route from the west side of 4th Street, NE 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, affecting the following streets:

Street — From — To

Pennsylvania Ave. from 17th ST NW to Rock Creek Parkway, 11:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.

Cross streets one block north and one block south of Pennsylvania Avenue, 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.

Rock Creek Parkway from Pennsylvania Avenue to Waterside Drive, (Massachusetts Avenue), 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.

Massachusetts Avenue from Columbia Avenue to Observatory Circle (South), 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.

4th Street from 3211 4th Street to Michigan Avenue,                         3:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

Michigan Avenue from Monroe to Irving Street,                                  4:45 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.

On April 17, a third opportunity to see Pope Benedict will be on the campus of the Catholic University of America, as he travels across campus to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center to meet with faith leaders from many religions. Access to viewing areas on Catholic University's campus is available only through tickets that the University has made available through local church-sponsored Catholic organizations. Tickets are available in blocks of 50 or more only to local Catholic Church-sponsored organizations (including parishes). Submissions for blocks of tickets must be sent no later than Thursday, April 10, to papalvisit@cua.edu. Name, address and affiliation are required.