Pope Trip - 5 days to go - My Plan

Before we jump into the last few days before Pope Benedict XVI visits Washington DC and New York City, it would be good idea, I think, to do a quick review of my coverage plans for his visit (at this point).

Of course, I am on the ground here in Washington DC, watching the preparations take place and focusing my coverage here. I'll also be paying attention to the pope's meeting with young people at St. Joseph's.

A good portion of my time will be spent doing interviews. The Maximus Group has been keeping me busy, fielding offers, etc., and I've also had numerous chats (on camera and off) with organizations contacting me directly (email is the best way). I'll be announcing those once they get aired or published.

Tomorrow night I'll be on Busted Halo live at 8:20-40 pm, on the Catholic Channel network. They take calls.

I also should have advance access to the papal speeches and addresses during the pope's visit, and I'll be screening those so that once the embargo is lifted we can get those available to everyone quickly.

As far as on the ground coverage, I'll probably be at the pope's first public appearance - vespers with the U.S. Bishops on the 16th at 5:15pm. Earlier that day I might try to catch a glimpse of him on Pennsylvania Avenue, but we'll see. I have the option of watching his speech to Catholic Educators on Thursday the 17th by sitting on the CUA campus mall, but frankly, I think I'll have a better view from home watching the live feeds at that point.

On Friday morning I have the option of greeting the pope as he leaves the Apostolic Nunciature on his way to New York, but it's a very early morning and it's the same time as the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

When the pope is on U.S. shores, I'll be manning the blogger console, scanning my finely-tuned RSS feeds, and providing complete coverage of the best the web has to offer in general, and St. Blogs in particular.

Once again, your tips and contributions will be invaluable to make this whole thing proceed smoothly.

And, I'm happy to report, the visitors are certainly pouring in. Today will be a new record for the most number of visits to AmP in a 24hr period. And to think, the pope himself is still 5 days away....

To all the new readers - of which I know there are many - welcome! You've found a good place to watch the pope.