Thursday, April 17, 2008

• 10:00 a.m. - The pope will offer Mass at the new Nationals Park in Washington.
• 5 p.m. - Pope Benedict XVI will give an address on the importance of Catholic education on the campus of The Catholic University of America.
• 6:30 p.m. - Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews and representatives of other religions will meet the Holy Father at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, next door to Catholic University.

See Itinerary for more details

POPE MEETS INTERRELIGIOUS LEADERS
Pope Benedict XVI arrives April 17 for a meeting with interreligious leaders at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center during his pastoral visit to Washington. (CNS photo/Rick Musacchio)

Pope urges U.S. Catholic educators to lead students to deeper faith

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged U.S. Catholic educators April 17 not to simply transmit knowledge to their students but to bring them to a deeper understanding of faith "which in turn nurtures the soul of a nation."

"A particular responsibility ... for each of you, and your colleagues, is to evoke among the young the desire for the act of faith, encouraging them to commit themselves to the ecclesial life that follows from this belief," he told more than 400 Catholic college presidents and diocesan education representatives at The Catholic University of America.

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Catholic University Senior's Essay Lands Him Chance to Meet Pope

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Peter Osgood, a senior majoring in biology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, couldn't move when he heard his essay on "How Catholic Education Has Changed My Life" won him a chance to meet Pope Benedict XVI when he delivers an address on Catholic education at the university April 17.

"But I knew I had to (move)," he said, with a wide grin at the gathering for essay finalists April 10.

For Archbishop Highlight of Papal Trip Will Be Nationals Park Mass

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, perhaps the highlight of Pope Benedict XVI's three-day visit to the nation's capital will be when they stand near the altar for the beginning of the papal Mass at the new Nationals Park April 17.

He said he looked forward to looking out at the more than 45,000 people in the stadium, and telling the pope, "These people welcome you."

Ticket Distribution Plan Set for Pope's Washington Mass

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Close to 14,000 people out of the 45,000 expected to be in attendance at Pope Benedict XVI's April 17 Mass in Washington will hail from outside the Archdiocese of Washington.

Of the 14,000 tickets to be distributed, the neighboring Diocese of Arlington, Va., will get 6,000 and the neighboring Archdiocese of Baltimore will receive 2,500.

CNS photo/Paul Haring - Secret Service agents wear hard hats as they tour the new Nationals Park in Washington.

Papal Visit on CUA Campus Excites Catholic Students Active in Faith

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Late-night talks with friends about life and faith are common in the dorm rooms of The Catholic University of America. Talking about the Catholic Church in class is pretty normal, too.

But a pope on campus? That's something many students agree is unusual and exciting.

"I can't even fathom the fact that he (Pope Benedict XVI) may be walking up the same stairs that I use to go to Starbucks before I go to class," said Kelly O'Connor, a sophomore early-childhood-development major from outside Philadelphia.

CNS photo/Bob Roller - The Catholic University of America's campus from the bell tower of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

EVENTS FOR 4.17.2008

April 17, 2008 - 7 p.m.
Meeting with Jewish Leaders
Windows media format

April 17, 2008 - 6:15 p.m.
Interreligious Gathering
Windows media format

April 17, 2008 - 4:30 p.m.
Address to Catholic Educators
Windows media format

April 17, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.
Papal Mass
Windows media format

April 17, 2008 - 6:00 a.m.
Pre-Mass Event
Windows media format

SPEECHES FOR 4.17.2008