Pope to visit Latin America, US

(ANSA) - Vatican City, June 30 - Pope Francis's travel schedule isn't letting up during the summer, with a July voyage to three Latin American countries followed in September by a visit to Cuba and the United States, for which the Vatican released the full official schedule Tuesday.
    Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, chose Bolivia, Ecuador, and Paraguay for the South America trip, to take place July 5-13.
    "They aren't big countries, nor are they in the forefront of world attention," said Fr. Federico Lombardi, Vatican press secretary.
    Pope Francis will have welcoming ceremonies and meetings with the heads of state of all three countries, as well as participate in the closing of the second World Meeting of Popular Movements in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on July 9.
    "The Movements will probably deliver their final document to the Pope, because they are also keeping in mind his visit to the UN in September," Lombardi said.
    In that trip, Pope Francis will address the UN General Assembly in New York on September 25 and later hold a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
    However, the pontiff's official visit will begin on September 19 when he departs Rome for Havana, where the following day he will meet with Cuban President Raul Castro.
    On September 22 Francis will head to Washington, DC, where the following day he will meet with US President Barack Obama.
    On September 24 the pope will address a joint session of the US Congress prior to an evening arrival in New York City where he will hold an evening prayer at the city's famed St.
    Patrick's Cathedral, with a Mass scheduled for the following day at Madison Square Garden, with a seating capacity of over 19,000.
    Pope Francis will wrap up his US visit with a day and a half in Philadelphia, where on September 27 he will hold Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families.
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