WASHINGTON — Pope Francis begins his first full day in the nation’s capital Wednesday after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base late Tuesday afternoon, where he received a rock-star welcome from cheering crowds.
An Oval Office meeting with President Barack Obama kicks off the pope’s official itinerary. Topics expected to be on the agenda are immigration and the United States’ role in the global community. The thawing relationship between Cuba and the U.S. is also likely to be discussed. The pope arrived here after a four-day visit to the communist nation and is believed to have played a key role in bringing the two countries to the table for secret talks that have led to the re-establishment of diplomatic ties.
A crowd of 15,000 is expected for the 9:15 a.m. arrival ceremony on the South Lawn at the White House. Thousands more are expected to line the parade route for a chance to see the pontiff before he heads off to the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, where he will meet with American bishops in prayer.
The marquee event Wednesday, however, will be the 4:15 p.m. canonization Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where 25,000 worshippers are expected to gather. The service will be conducted in Spanish and will be broadcast live on large video screens set up near the Washington Monument for the general public.
Junipero Serra will become the first saint to be canonized by a pope in America. The Catholic missionary brought the faith to California and is considered a great evangelized.
Road and transit traffic is expected to be heavy both in the morning and late afternoon due to road closures and many nonpapal events happening downtown in the evening.
Stay with WTOP for updates on traffic and any pope-related news throughout the day.
