Preview This Week at School Pope Francis Will Visit

A little more than a month before Pope Francis comes to visit, Dr. Timothy McNiff, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New York, will host a preview and tour at Our Lady Queen of Angels School, 229 E. 112th St., East Harlem on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m.

At the event, Dr. McNiff will introduce the four Catholic inner-city elementary school principals as well as some of the third- and fourth-grade students from each school that will be meeting Pope Francis at Our Lady Queen of Angels on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 25.

The students are preparing to demonstrate how Catholic education in the archdiocese helps children put Faith in Action in their daily lives by showcasing school projects and lessons focused on stewardship of the environment and community service initiatives the children know are important to Pope Francis. The students will invite the Holy Father to pray with and for them during their time together.

The schools and principals participating in this event, as well as the pope’s visit next month, are:  Hope Mueller, principal of St. Ann School, East. Harlem; Aleeya Francis, principal of St. Charles Borromeo School, Harlem; Dr. Joseph Muscente, principal of St. Paul’s School, East Harlem; and Joanne Walsh, principal of Our Lady Queen of Angels School, East Harlem.

Along with meeting the principals and students from the four schools, Pope Francis is also scheduled to meet with recent immigrants, refugees and other people who receive assistance from Catholic Charities programs in the archdiocese.