Why did the pope decide to come to Catholic University?
Located in Washington, D.C., the first stop during the pope’s visit, The Catholic University of America is the national university of the Catholic Church in our country. It is the only papally chartered university in the United States and the only institution of higher learning sponsored by the nation’s bishops. • When was the last time a pope visited Catholic University? It has been 28 years since the last papal visit to the university. Pope John Paul II came to CUA on Oct. 7, 1979, a year after he had become pontiff. The purpose of his visit at that time was to deliver an address on Catholic higher education. • How many times has any pope visited Catholic University? As pope, only once, in 1979. Other men who eventually became pope, however, have visited the campus before their election to the papacy.
