EWTN To Provide Live Coverage of Pope’s Historic Visit to Africa March 17 to March 23

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of the Pope’s visit to Cameroon and Angola March 17 to March 23.

“Catholicism in Africa remains strong, as evidenced by the many vocations from that continent,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “However, a visit by the Holy Father can be expected to strengthen an already strong local Church, and to result in an increase in Catholic laity as well as in religious vocations.”

In addition to Masses and Vespers, the Pope’s schedule includes meetings with the bishops and the President of each country; a meeting with Cameroon’s large Muslim Community at the Apostolic Nunciature, a meeting with the sick at a local hospital, a meeting with Africa’s young people, a meeting with those who represent various ecclesial movements, and more.

What follows is a schedule of the live events: (For the complete schedule, including encore times, please go to www.ewtn.com/papalAfrica09.)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Arrival (60 min.)
The Holy Father will arrive in Yaounde, Cameroon, where he will be greeted by the authorities. (11 a.m. ET, Tues., March 17)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Visit to the President of Cameroon (60 min)
Courtesy visit to the president of Cameroon at the Palais de l'Unite in Yaounde. (5 a.m. ET, Wed., March 18)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Meeting with the Bishops of Cameroon (90 min.)
Meeting with the Bishops of Cameroon in the church of Christ-Roi in Tsinga. (6:15 a.m. ET, Wed., March 18)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Celebration of Vespers (90 min.)
Celebration of Vespers with local clergy and representatives of ecclesial movements and of other Christian confessions in the basilica of Marie Reine des Apotres. (11:45 a.m. ET, Wed., March 18)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Meeting with the Muslim Community (90 min.)
In the apostolic nunciature in Yaounde, the Holy Father will meet with representatives of the Muslim community of Cameroon. (3:45 ET, Thurs., March 19)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Holy Mass (2 hours)
Celebration of Mass at Yaounde's Amadou Ahidjo stadium, to mark the publication of the "Instrumentum Laboris" of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. (5 a.m. ET, Thurs., March 19)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Meeting with the Sick (2 hours)
The Holy Father will meet with sick people in the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger Centre. (11:30 a.m ET., Thurs., March 19)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Meeting with the Synod of Bishops (60 min.)
Address before members of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. (1:30 p.m. ET, Thurs., March 19)

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Farewell Ceremony (30 min.)
Farewell ceremony at Nsimalen International Airport of Yaoundé. (5 a.m. ET, Fri., March 20)

Papal Visit to Angola: Arrival (60 min.) (Tape delay)
The Pope will travel from Yaounde to the Angolan capital Luanda where there will be a welcoming ceremony at the airport. (10 a.m. ET, Fri., March 20)

Papal Visit to Angola: Meeting with the President of Angola and members of the Diplomatic Corps (90 min.)
Visit to the president of the Republic of Angola in the presidential palace in Luanda where he will also deliver an address to political leaders and the diplomatic corps. (12 p.m., Fri., March 20)

Papal Visit to Angola: Meeting with the Bishops of Angola (60 min.)
Meeting with Bishops of Angola and Santo Tome in the chapel of the apostolic nunciature in Luanda. (2 p.m. ET, Fri., March 20)

Papal Visit to Angola: Holy Mass (2 hours)
Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass in Luanda's church of Sao Paulo. (5 a.m., ET, Sat., March 21)

Papal Visit to Angola: Meeting with young people (90 min.)
Meeting with young people in the stadium of Coquieros. (11:30 a.m. ET, Sat., March 21)

Papal Visit to Angola: Holy Mass with the Bishops of IMBISA (2½ hours)
Celebration of Mass with bishops of IMBISA (Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa) at Cimangola Square, followed by the Angelus. (5 a.m. ET, Sun., March 22)

Papal Visit to Angola: Meeting with Catholic movements (60 min.)
From the parish of Santo Antonio in Luanda the Holy Father will meet with Catholic movements for the promotion of women. (11:45 a.m. ET, Sun., March 22)

Papal Visit to Angola: Farewell Ceremony (30 min.)
Farewell ceremony at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport of Luanda. (5 a.m. ET, Mon., March 23)

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 148 million television households in more than 140 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 and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.