Photo post: CUA prepares for the Pope to Visit

The Catholic University of America campus continues to prepare for the pope's upcoming visit on April 17th.

Two weeks ago, the daily Masses were held upstairs in the main church instead of below in the crypt church because the lighting fixtures were being updated. Pope Benedict will be praying vespers with the assembled U.S. bishops in the crypt church during his visit.

Rumor also has it that the side entrance to the Basilica of the National Shrine is having work done because the pope will be using those steps at one point.

Basically, if the Pope is going to use or see it - time for a facelift.

The CUA student-run newspaper had a somewhat acerbic comment about the construction:

"Word is, the side of the architecture building is being renovated because Pope Benedict will make his way down that alley during his visit to campus in April. The Pryz Great Room is also getting an upgrade. At this point, we would like to request that the Holy Father's route be adapted so that he also swings by some other ugly parts of campus that could use some sprucing up. In fact, let's just have him do a quick lap around the entire campus. We're sure he's up to it."

I don't quite get why the author felt the need to gloss what is otherwise an informative tid-bit with comments like "We're sure he's up to it."

Anyway, below are some photos I took showing the areas of campus that are getting attention.

These images have all been posted in their full-size versions on the AmP Flickr page.

The stairs which are being refurbishing for the pope's visit:

The same stairs viewed from below:
While I was in the neighborhood, the Basilica veiled in fog:
The exterior of the Pryzbola center, where Pope Benedict will talk to Catholic educators:
The back of the architecture building where Pope Benedict will allegedly walk:
A benefit of this path is that it gives the pope a view of the CUA law school:
I doubt the campus will be this empty on the day of the pope's visit:
... but it sure makes for a beautiful shot in the meantime.

Other posts on the pope's visit are available here. More posts in the works!