His Holiness Pope Francis of the Holy See - Address to Joint Meeting of Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2015

AUTHORIZED BY: Chief of Police, Kim C. Dine

CONTACT: Captain Kimberly Schneider, Public Information Officer, Kimberly Schneider, kimberly.schneider@uscp.gov

Concert & Rehearsal Info

WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 10:00 am, Pope Francis of the Holy See will deliver an address before a Joint Meeting of Congress. Additional security measures will be in place to ensure the safety and security of this event.

This is a ticketed event, with some areas on U.S. Capitol Grounds requiring a valid Congressional ID. There are no public viewing areas on U.S. Capitol Grounds.

Capitol Building Tours

Due to security measures in preparation for this event, public and staff-led tours will be suspended at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, September 22, and the Capitol Building will be closed to the general public beginning at 5:00 pm on September 22. Tours will resume at approximately 1:00 pm on September 24.

Prohibited Items

All ticketed guests must adhere to security screening procedures before entering the event site. This will include an administrative search of all bags, and closed containers. In addition to any other items determined to be prohibited at the discretion of the U.S. Capitol Police, the following items are prohibited:

• Aerosols
• Air horns
• Alcoholic beverages
• Ammunition
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Backpacks and bags exceeding size restrictions (18" x 14" x 8 1/2")
• Balloons
• Bicycles
• Chairs (non-ADA)
• Coolers
• Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
• Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
• Glass and metal containers
• Knives, blades and/or sharp objects (of any length)
• Laser pointers
• Mace and/or pepper spray
• Packages
• Pocket or hand tools (such as "Leatherman")
• Selfie sticks
• Strollers
• Structures
• Supports for signs/placards
• Thermoses
• Toy guns or replica guns
• Umbrellas
• Weapons of any kind

Temporary Street Closure on U.S. Capitol Grounds

On Thursday, September 24 beginning at 12:00 am, all streets within a three-block radius of the U.S. Capitol will be closed to unauthorized traffic. Streets will be closed from 12:00 am until 12:00 pm. It is strongly recommended that people plan alternate travel routes, or avoid driving and use alternate means of transportation. The following streets will be temporarily closed to unauthorized traffic

• Northeast / Northwest Sector
  • Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd Street, NW and 1st Street, NW from 5:00 pm, September 23 to 4:00 pm on September 24
  • North Capitol Street, NE/NW between E Street, NE/NW and Louisiana Avenue, NE/NW from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • New Jersey Avenue, NW between D Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • Louisiana Avenue, NE/NW between Columbus Circle, NE and Constitution Avenue, NW from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm, September 24
  • Constitution Avenue, NE/NW between 3rd Street, NW and 2nd Street, NE from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • Delaware Avenue, NE between Columbus Circle, NE and Constitution Avenue, NE from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • D Street, NE/NW between 2nd Street, NE and New Jersey Avenue, NW from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, Â September 24
  • First Street, NE/SE between Massachusetts Avenue, NE and D Street, SE from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24

• Southeast / Southwest Sector
  • First Street, NE/SE between D Street, SE and Independence Avenue, SE from 12:00am to 12:00pm, September 24
  • East Capitol Street, NE/SE between 2nd Street, SE/NE and 1st Street, SE/NE from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm, September 24
  • Independence Avenue, SE/SW between 3rd Street, SW and 2nd Street, SE from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • Maryland Avenue, SW between 1st Street, SW and 3rd Street, SW from 5:00 pm on September 23 to 4:00 pm, September 24
  • Washington Avenue, SW between South Capitol Street, SE/SW and Independence Avenue, SW from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm, September 24
  • South Capitol Street, SE/SW between E Street, SE/SW and Independence Avenue, SE/SW from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • C Street, SW between 2nd Street, SW and 3rd Street, SW from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • 2nd Street, SW between Independence Avenue, SW and D Street, SW from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24
  • 3rd Street, NW/SW between C Street, NW and C Street, SW from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm, September 24

If there are any questions about these events or our security procedures, you may contact the United States Capitol Police Public Information Office at 202-224-1677

* * * * * *