Sen. Schumer Announces Winners Of 100 Pairs Of Pope Tickets
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer has announced the winners of his statewide lottery for 100 pairs of tickets to be part of the papal audience on the West Lawn of the Capitol following Pope Francis' address to Congress on Sept. 24.
Schumer said Wednesday that there were more than 11,000 entrants from around the state in the online lottery. The winners were selected on Aug. 27 and notified personally.
"Pope Francis' speech before Congress will be a historic moment for all of us, but especially for the lucky New Yorkers who will get to be a part of this momentous occasion," Schumer said in a statement. "The winners of this lottery have the unique opportunity to be a part of the papal audience as we welcome the Holy Father to Washington, DC on the West Lawn of the Capitol, and I am positive they will remember this moment for years and years to come."
The winners included seven Long Island residents, 12 New York City residents and six residents from the Hudson Valley.
Schumer's office also conducted a statewide lottery to find one winner of his office's sole ticket to pope's historic address to Congress.
Pope Francis is the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress. The winner of this ticket is Carmen Esteras from the Bronx.
After his address to Congress on Sept. 24, the pope will head to New York City and attend evening prayer at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The next day, he will address the United Nations General Assembly, host an interfaith service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, visit a school in East Harlem, take a motorcade through Central Park and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden.
On the morning of Sept. 26, he'll leave for Philadelphia. For a complete schedule of the pope's upcoming visit, click here.
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