EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network to Provide Extensive Coverage of Pope’s Historic U.S. Visit
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide extensive coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s first U.S. visit April 15th - 20th through its English and Spanish radio networks.
Coverage of this historic event will be heard worldwide through EWTN’s shortwave radio service and Internet web stream (www.ewtn.com). In the U.S., over 100 AM and FM radio affiliates (http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm) will broadcast the six-day event, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio (channel 160) and XM Satellite Radio (XM 120).
Subscribers to Sirius in the U.S. and Canada can also listen to EWTN radio’s coverage of the Pope’s visit on Sirius Internet Radio, and subscribers to XM in both the U.S. and Canada can listen on XM 120 (XM’s Papal Visit ’08 channel) and XM Radio Online. Sky Angel subscribers can listen to EWTN radio coverage on IPTV channels 233 (English) and 234 (Spanish).
In addition to live coverage of the Pope’s visit (details below), EWTN radio’s continuing coverage will include live daily programs such as “Catholic Connection,” “EWTN Open Line” and “Catholic Answers.” These programs will focus extensively on Pope Benedict’s visit, and will include commentary by EWTN hosts and their expert guests as well as listener reaction.
Live play-by-play coverage of the Pope’s visit will be provided by EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo, who has anchored more papal events than anyone in the industry, and who obtained the only English language interview in existence today with the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Arroyo, a New York Times best selling author, will be joined in live coverage and commentary by Editor and Author Father Richard John Neuhaus and Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.
As a precursor to the visit, Arroyo has obtained an exclusive interview with President George Bush in which he will discuss U.S. relations with the Holy See, the papal visit, Iraq, and much more. This special-edition of “The World Over” will air at 8 p.m. Friday, April 11 on EWTN’s radio, television and Internet media platforms.
EWTN radio coverage of the Pope’s visit will be as follows: (All times Eastern):
Tuesday, April 15, 3:30 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Andrews Air Force Base and is greeted by President and Mrs. Bush, local dignitaries of the Church, and the apostolic nuncio. (Encore 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 16, 10 a.m. Pope Benedict XVI is received by President and Mrs. Bush at a White House welcoming ceremony, followed by a private meeting between the President and the Pope, and the dignitaries of the two states. (Encore 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 16, 5:00 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI gathers with the bishops of the United States for a prayer service and address at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
Thursday, April 17, 9:30 a.m. Pope Benedict XVI offers Mass at the new Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
Thursday, April 17, 4:30 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI will address hundreds of Catholic University heads and diocesan superintendents on the importance Catholic education at the Catholic University of America.
Thursday, April 17, 6 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI meets with representatives of various religions for a prayer service at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington D.C.
Friday, April 18, 9:30 a.m. Arrival at JFK International Airport.
Friday, April 18, 10:30 a.m. Pope Benedict XVI will address the United Nations, after an early morning flight to New York. (Encore 8 p.m.)
Friday, April 18, 5:00 p.m. Prayer service with leaders from other Christian denominations at St. Joseph's, founded by German Catholics, in Manhattan.
Saturday, April 19, 9 a.m. Mass for priests, deacons and members of religious orders at St. Patrick¹s Cathedral in the heart of New York City. (Encore 8 p.m.)
Saturday, April 19, 4 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI meets with thousands of young people from around the country; the event includes a rally/prayer service and a speech from the Pope at Dunwoodie Seminary.
Sunday, April 20, 9 a.m. Pope Benedict XVI visits the former World Trade Center site, now known as Ground Zero in New York City. (Encore 11 a.m.)
Sunday, April 20, 2 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Holy Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York bringing his historic U.S. visit to a close.
Sunday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. Pope Benedict XVI departs.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 27th year, is available in nearly 150 million television households in 144 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com
