By Joseph McAleer
Catholic News Service
NEW YORK (CNS) — “All Francis, All the Time” could be the motto for media coverage of Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States Sept. 22-27.
Across network and cable television, satellite radio, the Web and social media, Catholics and the public at large will enjoy a feast of viewing and listening opportunities.
Offered in Spanish as well as English, many of these options will be available 24/7. Following are some of the highlights:
Television:
Network and cable news programs will offer extensive coverage of papal events, including liturgies, in Washington (Sept. 22-24), New York (Sept. 24-26) and Philadelphia (Sept. 26-27).
Catholic television providers, including Salt and Light Television (www.saltandlighttv.org), CatholicTV (www.catholictv.com), and the Eternal Word Television Network (www.ewtn.com), will air live, uninterrupted programming. Check websites for schedules.
C-SPAN, the public service cable channel, will present live coverage of the papal visit to all three cities, starting with the Holy Father’s scheduled arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland Sept. 22 at 3:45 p.m. EDT. In addition to the C-SPAN1 channel, the network will also broadcast on C-SPAN Radio and at www.c-span.org.
Time Warner Cable (www.timewarnercable.com) is launching a 24-hour news channel dedicated entirely to the pope’s journey. It will be available on TV, online and on the TWC News app. The Papal Visit Channel (channel 199 in most areas) will also be available on Bright House cable systems.
“The Call,” a live news call-in show telecast from New York City, will let viewers discuss key issues. “Papal Visit 2015,” an in-depth nightly review program, will recap each day’s developments.
“Pope Francis’ visit is one of the most important events in the United States this year,” said Steve Paulus, Time Warner Cable senior vice president. “As part of our dedication to our community and Time Warner Cable customers, we’re proud to cover all aspects of the trip that promise to be of significance to our viewers.”
Satellite Radio:
The Catholic Channel, SiriusXM channel 129, will offer listeners nationwide comprehensive audio coverage of the papal visit. The channel’s staff of hosts and reporters, including Paulist Father Dave Dwyer, Lino Rulli of “The Catholic Guy Show” and special White House correspondent Jared Rizzi, will broadcast live, on-site, from every public event throughout the pontiff’s stay, and provide commentary on the proceedings.
“The Catholic Channel will lead the way in providing coverage of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States,” said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York; the archdiocese administers the station. “People who want to know what’s happening — and what it all means — should make sure that they stay tuned to The Catholic Channel.”
Web and Social Media:
A team of reporters will provide Catholic News Service (www.catholicnews.com) with in-depth coverage of the papal sojourn.
A video livestream will be available online courtesy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at www.usccb.org/live.
The USCCB also is launching social media profiles on Twitter and Instagram, “Pope in US” and “Papa en USA.” An animated “gif” of themes associated with the papal trip accompanied the launch of these channels. #PopeInUS and #PapaEnUSA are hashtags promoted with the visit. The USCCB will post updates to Facebook at www.facebook.com/usccb and www.facebook.com/USCCBEspanol.
Moreover, the just-launched USA Catholic church mobile app, available for use in the U.S., will offer exclusive coverage. It is free to download at Google Play and Apple iTunes in English and Spanish. I also can be downloaded for free via the site www.USACatholic.church using a smartphone or tablet device.
The online Jesuit-run ministry America Media has launched a special website, papalvisit.americamedia.org, offering videos, photographs, reports from the field and analysis.
In a partnership between America Media and ABC News, Jesuit Fathers Matt Malone and Jim Martin and America’s Vatican correspondent, Gerard O’Connell, will be making regular appearances on many of the ABC News programs throughout the visit as well as on other major media outlets.
Locally, the Archdioceses of Washington (www.adw.org), New York (www.archny.org), and Philadelphia (www.archphila.org), plan ample coverage of the pope’s stay in each of their cities.
More information and resources related to the visit of Pope Francis are available at: www.uspapalvisit.org.
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Tags: CNS, English, Papal Visit 2015, This Just In