Sen. Schumer Seeking Date for Pope's Congress Address

Park Slope resident and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has an extra guest ticket for Pope Francis’ address to Congress next month, and it’s apparently not reserved for his famous cousin Amy.

So, on Monday, Aug. 17, the senator announced that his date will be selected through a statewide lottery.

“Senator Schumer received one guest ticket, and requests are pouring in from across New York from those trying to see Pope Francis and experience a piece of history,” says the official invite from his office.

The Sept. 24 event will mark the first time a pope has traveled to the D.C. to address a joint meeting of Congress, according to Schumer.

“Pope Francis’ speech before Congress will be a historic moment for all of us, but especially for one lucky New Yorker who will get to attend the speech in person with a ticket from our office,” the senator says in a statement.

He adds that he wishes we could all be his date, but “sadly,” each politician only received one guest ticket.

You can enter your name in the lottery here. And even if you don’t win the grand prize — a seat next to Schumer at the most exclusive Capitol Hill event of summer — another 100 tickets to the Pope’s post-address appearance on the West Lawn are up for grabs, as well.