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Schumer has extra ticket for Pope’s DC speech

Senator offering invitation through lottery

August 20, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Senator Charles Schumer is offering one lucky winner the chance to see Pope Francis’ speech before a joint session of Congress. Eagle file photo by Bill Kotsatos
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When Pope Francis delivers his historic address before Congress next month, one lucky New Yorker will get to see the speech live, thanks to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.

Schumer (D-New York) announced that he received one guest ticket to the event and that his office will be conducting a statewide lottery to determine who will attend the Sept. 24 address.

Schumer said requests are pouring in from all across New York from people trying to see Pope Francis and experience a piece of history.

Pope Francis will be the first pope in history to address a joint session of Congress.

Schumer will also be offering 100 pairs of tickets to the papal audience that Pope Francis will be conducting on the West Lawn of the Capitol following his address to Congress.

Those tickets will be distributed via a random drawing that will be held on Aug. 27. The deadline to submit requests is Aug. 26. Requests will only be accepted through Schumer’s website,  schumer.senate.gov/papal-visit-lottery.

Tickets for the joint session of Congress and the papal audience are only provided through Congressional Offices and are free of charge.

“Pope Francis’ speech before Congress will be a historic moment for all of us, but especially for one lucky New Yorker who will get to attend the speech in person with a ticket from our office,” Schumer said in a statement. “If it were up to me, I would fill up the entire gallery with New Yorkers, but sadly, each senator only received one guest ticket. Still, I encourage all New York residents to go to my website and enter the lottery for the chance to see the Holy Father at his audience outside the Capitol or hear him speak before Congress.”

Entrants will be asked to submit their name and contact information. The winners will be notified personally after the lottery is held.

In addition to his speech to Congress, the Pontiff will also be meeting with President Barack Obama during his stay in Washington D.C.

Pope Francis will also be visiting New York City and Philadelphia during his five-day trip to the U.S.

While in New York, he will speak at the United Nations, visit the 9/11 Memorial and celebrate a mass at Madison Square Garden.

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