BEL AIR—Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles) announced on Wednesday, September 2 that he will be holding a lottery for those eager to see Pope Francis during his visit to Washington D.C. on September 24.
Lieu received a limited number of tickets to distribute to residents of the 33rd Congressional District. If selected, winners will have the opportunity to stand on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and watch the Papal address the Joint Meeting of Congress in the Hall of the House of Representatives. Attendees will watch the speech on large television monitors set up throughout the lawn
Lottery winners will be limited to four tickets each and will not be provided with either airfare or accommodations in the US capitol. Winners are also required to pick up tickets in person with a valid photo ID at the district’s Washington D.C. office.
“Pope Francis’s visit will mark an important moment not only for Catholics but for all Americans, which is why I will be holding a lottery to distribute these tickets to constituents,” say Lieu.
In an interview with The Washington Post, President Obama “hinted at” a few issues that will outline the discussion between him and the pope, which he believes to be climate change, poverty and Middle Eastern conflicts.
President Obama said that Pope Francis will also touch down on “issues of war and peace. You know, he is somebody who rightly, I think, expresses concerns about reducing conflict and reducing war, including in the Middle East, where Christians have been viciously attacked.”
Pope Francis will arrive in Washington D.C., on September 22 and will stay until September 25 before heading to New York City and then Philadelphia. For the full schedule of the Pope’s 6-day tour, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.
Contestants have until 10 a.m. PST on Tuesday, September 8 to enter into the lottery.
Cities and areas that are a part of the 33rd Congressional District are Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Topanga and Westwood, along with several others.
For further questions, residents can call the district’s DC office at 202-225-3976.
