Here comes the Pope! Popemobile routes previewed

WASHINGTON—Popemobile routes for Pope Benedict XVI, April 16 and 17 in Washington, will include travels along Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and Fourth Street, NE. These routes, especially the motorcade west on Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, present the best way for the public to see Pope Benedict. The pope’s schedule during his three-day visit to Washington includes events that require tickets.

After the pope’s April 16 visit at the White House, around noon, the pope will travel in the popemobile to the Vatican Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue. From the White House, the route will follow Pennsylvania Avenue to Washington Circle. From there, the motorcade will head toward Massachusetts Avenue through Rock Creek Parkway, to the residence located across from the U.S. Naval Observatory.

The public generally can see the pope from the sidewalks throughout the route. Sidewalks immediately in front of the White House and Lafayette Park, directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, will be closed to the public. Washington Circle also will be closed as a viewing location.

Later that day, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the pope will board the popemobile for a second motorcade from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offices, 3211 4th Street, NE, to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Michigan Avenue, where he will meet with the U.S. bishops. The public can see the pope along this route from the west side of 4th Street, NE and from the south side of Michigan Avenue in front of and across the Street from the Shrine.

Sporadic automobile traffic restrictions or, “rolling closures,” will occur during the pope’s April 16 travel times, affecting the following streets:

Street From To
Pennsylvania Ave. from 17th ST, NW to Rock Creek Parkway 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Cross streets one block north and one block south of Pennsylvania Avenue 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Rock Creek Pkwy from Pennsylvania Avenue to Waterside Drive (Massachusetts Avenue) 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Massachusetts Avenue from Columbia Avenue to Observatory Circle (South) 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m
4th Street from 3211 4th Street to Michigan Avenue 3:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Michigan Avenue from Monroe to Irving Street 4:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.