Popemobile Routes Announced

WASHINGTON, April 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pope Benedict XVI will travel
the streets of Washington via popemobile on April 16 and 17, giving thousands
of people the opportunity to see him during his first papal visit to the
nation's capital.

Following a meeting with President Bush at the White House on April 16, the
Holy Father will leave the White House in the popemobile at approximately noon
via East Executive Avenue, travel west on Pennsylvania Avenue past Washington
Circle, and then north on Rock Creek Parkway before exiting at Massachusetts
Avenue. He will conclude his trip at the papal nunciature located at
Observatory Circle where he will enjoy a lunch with the United States
cardinals and others in honor of his 81st birthday.

At 5:15 p.m., he will travel via popemobile from the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops headquarters at 3211 Fourth Street NE north on Fourth
Street to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
where he will meet with 350 bishops from around the United States. The public
will be able to line the route along the west side of Fourth Street and on
Michigan Avenue near the Basilica. The grounds of the Basilica are by ticket
only.

On April 17, the more than 46,000 participants at the Papal Mass hosted by the
Archdiocese of Washington at Nationals Park will greet the pontiff as he
drives around the field in the popemobile prior to Mass.

That evening, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the Holy Father will take his last
popemobile ride in Washington from the campus of The Catholic University of
America through the south side of campus, north along the Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, then north on Harewood Road to
the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center where he will meet with representatives
of other religions. Viewing along this route is by ticket primarily for the
Catholic University community.

"We have had tremendous interest in the Holy Father's visit, receiving nearly
200,000 inquiries for tickets just to the Mass," said Msgr. Barry Knestout,
vicar for administration of the Archdiocese of Washington. "The popemobile
routes will give thousands of people an opportunity to see the Holy Father and
to wish him happy birthday."

SOURCE Archdiocese of Washington

Susan Gibbs of the Archdiocese of Washington, +1-301-853-4516, +1-301-758-7901
(cell)