Pope Benedict to visit Catholic University on D.C. trip

Let's hope the Roman Pontiff has a strong message for American Catholic universities and colleges, exhorting them to fidelity and faithfulness. As you peruse the stories in this blog and the various websites we link to, you will see there is much repair work to be undertaken if the Catholic youth in the U.S. are to have a legitimate shot at learning and deepening their faith along with the liberal arts and sciences.


Pope Benedict to visit Catholic University on D.C. trip, website launched

Washington DC, Dec 5, 2007 / 11:38 am (CNA).- The Catholic University of America has announced that Pope Benedict XVI will visit the campus during his April trip to Washington, D.C. and has dedicated a website to the visit.

University President Monsignor David M. O'Connor, C.M., confirmed the announcement in a letter. "We look forward to Pope Benedict XVI's April visit to The Catholic University of America with tremendous anticipation and enthusiasm," he said. He described the visit as "an honor beyond measure."

Catholic University is the only papally chartered university in the United States.

University officials expressed hope that current students, faculty, and staff could see the Holy Father as he arrives on and departs from campus. However, due to security concerns the university will be closed on the day of the visit, April 17.

Pope John Paul II visited Catholic University in 1979, where he delivered an address on Catholic higher education.

Pope Benedict previously visited the university before he was elected to the papacy.

During his visit to the Catholic University campus, Pope Benedict will address an invitation-only audience on themes in Catholic education. The audience will include the presidents of Catholic colleges and universities and Catholic school superintendents representing each U.S. diocese.

For more information on his visit please visit http://papalvisit.cua.edu/