Vatican releases itinerary for Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Vatican has released the itinerary for Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia on September 26-27.

The itinerary for the pope includes eight public events in the city, including his arrival and departure from Atlantic Aviation.

He'll visit the Independence Mall, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, and of course, the Ben Franklin Parkway.

Pope Francis will be on a tight schedule, but millions of people will have the opportunity to see him in person.

Pope Francis will speak about religious freedom and immigration during an open air address at Independence Mall.

The logistics of access and crowd control are still being worked out.

Earlier in the day he will celebrate mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. That will be an invitation only event with tickets issued to just 1,600 people.

The Archdioceses is still working on details of who gets the tickets.

Bishop John McIntyre explains, "This is one of the few events that will involve a ticket. Naturally it's going to involve a ticket because space is limited. The Parkway is first come first served."

That will be the main event.

The archdiocese is expecting a million and a half people to crowd the Parkway as the pope celebrates an open air mass.

The pope will be staying at St. Charles Boromeo Seminary on City Avenue. He will greet the seminarians there when he arrives Saturday.

Sunday morning at the seminary he will address the cardinals and bishops who will be in town for the World Meeting of Families. He will then head to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia where he will meet with prisoners and select families.

Bishop McIntyre says, "One of the things he wanted to do was to visit those who are in prison while he was here in the United States. And we, Philadelphia, was asked to host that visit."

Then comes the papal mass on the Parkway at 4pm Sunday.

There may be unanticipated detours from the schedule as Pope Francis is fond of mingling with the people.

All of it a massive security challenge that involves, federal, state, local and international agencies.

The World Meeting of Families released the following schedule for the visit:

Saturday, September 26

Morning:

Private Arrival: Atlantic Aviation

The Cathedral Mass with Pope Francis: The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Afternoon:

Greeting of the Holy Father by the Seminarians of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary:

Exterior Front Steps of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary

"We Hold These Truths... :" Independence Hall (Outdoor; Overlooking Independence Mall)

Address by Pope Francis (Expected Themes: Religious Liberty and Immigration)

Evening:

The Festival of Families: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sunday, September 27

Morning:

Address to Cardinals + Bishops attending World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015:

Saint Martin's Chapel at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary

Visit with Prisoners and Select Families:

Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility

Afternoon:

The Papal Mass: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Projected: 4 p.m. EST)

Evening:

A Celebration of World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Supporters + Volunteers:

Atlantic Aviation

Official Departure Ceremony: Atlantic Aviation