The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America and the preeminent Marian Shrine of the United States, will celebrate the Solemn Eucharist and pray the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis on Sunday, March 2 at 12:00 Noon ET.
His Eminence, Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio (papal ambassador) to the United States, will be the celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Immediately following the Noon Mass, Monsignor Walter Rossi, Rector of the Basilica, will lead the faithful in praying the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Pope Francis. All the faithful are invited to participate in the Mass and to pray the Holy Rosary for the Holy Father.
Pope Francis visited the Basilica on September 23, 2015, on the first full day of his Apostolic Journey to the United States. While at the Basilica, he celebrated Mass on the East Portico in front of a crowd of 25,000. During Mass, he presided over the canonization of Saint Junipero Serra, the first canonization to occur on U.S. soil.
For those unable to attend in person, the Mass and Rosary will be livestreamed at www.nationalshrine.org/mass.
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ABOUT THE BASILICA
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America, and it is among the ten largest churches in the world. Dedicated to the patroness of the United States, the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica is the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine and patronal church and has been designated a national sanctuary of prayer and pilgrimage. Among those who have visited the National Shrine during its 100+ year history are Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, Saint Pope John Paul II, and Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.