“Pope Radio” channel to launch on SiriusXM

NEW YORK – SiriusXM announced Sept. 16 that it will launch a special channel titled “Pope Radio” that will be entirely dedicated to Pope Francis’s first visit to the United States.

“Pope Radio” will be a special production of The Catholic Channel and will be an exclusive collaboration between SiriusXM and the Archdiocese of New York. The channel will launch on Sept. 21 at 7 a.m. and air 24 hours a day until after the Holy Father departs the country. It will be available to SiriusXM subscribers on channel 129 – the regular home of The Catholic Channel – on satellite radios, on the SiriusXM app and at SiriusXM.com.

Pope Francis will visit Washington D.C. Sept. 22-24, New York Sept. 24-26 and Philadelphia Sep. 26-27.

Pope Radio will cover the Holy Father’s journey every step of the way and will give listeners nationwide a unique perspective on the religious, social and political impressions felt in the United States and abroad. Coverage will include live broadcasts of all of the major events during the pope’s visit including his address to a joint session of Congress, a first for a pope, his visits to the World Meeting of Families and Ground Zero, the Papal Masses and much more.

A host of commentators – those in studio as well as those on site at every venue – will broadcast throughout the day to provide listeners with up-to-the-moment reports and analysis through Pope Francis’s travels.  SiriusXM subscribers will have the most comprehensive access available on radio and will hear from a remarkably knowledgeable lineup of hosts. These include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York; Paulist Father Dave Dwyer; ‘The Catholic Guy’ Lino Rulli; Jennifer Fulwiler; Gus Lloyd; Father Gabriel Gillen; SiriusXM political host Tim Farley; special White House correspondent Jared Rizzi; and others.

Among the highlights for the week on Pope Radio will be a special edition of Cardinal Dolan’s weekly show, Conversation with Cardinal Dolan, which he will host live on Sept. 22 at 3 p.m.

“I am excited and honored that The Catholic Channel will become Pope Radio for a week, to carry every moment of the Holy Father’s visit to Cuba and the United States,” said Cardinal Dolan. “Anyone who wants to really follow Pope Francis has only one place to turn: Pope Radio on SiriusXM.”

On Sept. 19 and 20, the days leading up to the launch of Pope Radio, The Catholic Channel will present a two-day special that will preview the Pontiff’s visit. Prelude to the Pope will air throughout the two days and will include live coverage of select events from Cuba, where Pope Francis will be before travelling to the United States. Listeners will also hear specials that will inform them about Pope Francis’s background and his elevation to the papacy, and examinations of the social and political impact he has had on the world as the Holy Father.