By David Karas | Correspondent
If you are interested in following Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to the United States next month, you are not alone.
For months, faithful in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia have been scrambling to learn about the various stops the Holy Father will make, scooping up transit passes and event tickets to have a chance to see Pope Francis. Officials in Philadelphia are also expecting well over one million attendees for Mass celebrated by the Pontiff on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Those unable to attend any of the planned events and celebrations in person will be able to tune in remotely, as media outlets have begun announcing plans to broadcast and live-stream the visit of Pope Francis online, on television and on the radio.
“The Papal Mass in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27, and the events in New York and Washington D.C. will be among the most widely broadcast live productions in recent media history,” said Rayanne Bennett, diocesan executive director of communications.
It is expected that major television networks, as well as cable stations, will broadcast the events, and even some local, Philadelphia- and New York-based media outlets have discussed plans to do so. Philadelphia-based affiliates of ABC, CBS and NBC have already ramped up their coverage of preparations for the Papal visit as well.
For those seeking to tune in and follow the Holy Father’s visit to the United States, here are some options:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will live-stream all events in English, with audio commentary, online: http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/francis/papal-visit-2015/papal-visit-2015-live-stream.cfm. Select events will also be made available in English and Spanish through video on demand: http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/holy-see/francis/papal-visit-2015/papal-visit-2015-video-on-demand.cfm.
The Eternal Word Television Network has committed to offering live, uninterrupted coverage available in both English and Spanish via cable, satellite, radio and online: http://www.ewtn.com/papaltravels/america/. EWTN-affiliate radio stations, including the Ewing-based WFJS 1260 AM and 89.3 FM, will also provide live coverage on their airwaves, as well as locally-based programming and content to supplement national coverage.
For those interested in viewing content on their mobile devices, video and on-demand offerings will be made available through the USA Catholic Church application or smartphones and tablets, made available for iOS and Android devices after Aug. 31. Visit www.USACatholic.Church for more information.
In addition to live coverage of the visit of Pope Francis, the occasion has prompted the production of special programming from area print media, broadcast television and radio firms marking the historic milestone and sparking discussions about faith, Catholicism and spirituality.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has been asked to contribute to a program being produced by WHYY radio, focusing on the Sacraments, and he was recently interviewed by anchor Mary Cummings-Jordan. The program will air Sept. 17, and will include the Trenton bishop’s insights related to Confirmation and Holy Orders.
Recognizing that many faithful throughout the Diocese of Trenton might not be able to make it to the Papal Mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sept. 27 in person, a number of parishes are organizing gatherings during which they will show the live-streamed Mass and other programming.
Visit www.TrentonMonitor.com to learn more as plans come together for those seeking to tune in to Pope Francis’ visit to the United States next month.