NEW YORK - SiriusXM announced today that it will launch a special channel entitled "Pope Radio" that will be entirely dedicated to Pope Francis's first visit to the United States next week.

"Pope Radio" will be a special production of The Catholic Channel and will be an exclusive collaboration between SiriusXM and the Archdiocese of New York.  The channel will launch on Monday, September 21, at 6:00 am ET and air 24 hours a day until after the Holy Father departs the country.  It will be available to SiriusXM subscribers on channel 129 - the regular home of The Catholic Channel - on satellite radios, on the SiriusXM app and at SiriusXM.com.

Pope Francis will first visit Washington DC (Sep. 22-24), then New York (Sep. 24-26) and finally Philadelphia (Sep. 26-27).

Pope Radio will cover the Holy Father's journey every step of the way and will give listeners nationwide a unique perspective on the religious, social and political impressions felt in the U.S. and abroad.  Coverage will include live broadcasts of all of the major events during the Pope's visit including his address to a joint session of Congress, a first for a Pope, his visits to the World Meeting of Families and Ground Zero, the Papal Masses and much more.  Click here for an itinerary of the Pope's travels.

A host of commentators - those in studio as well as those on site at every venue - will broadcast throughout the day to provide listeners with up-to-the-moment reports and analysis through Pope Francis's travels.  SiriusXM subscribers will have the most comprehensive access available on radio and will hear from a remarkably knowledgeable lineup of hosts.  These include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York; Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP; 'The Catholic Guy' Lino Rulli; Jennifer Fulwiler; Gus Lloyd; Fr. Gabriel Gillen; SiriusXM political host Tim Farley; special White House correspondent Jared Rizzi; and others.

Among the highlights for the week on Pope Radio will be a special edition of Cardinal Dolan's weekly show, Conversation with Cardinal Dolan, which he will host live on Tuesday, September 22 (2:00 to 3:00 pm ET).

"I am excited and honored that The Catholic Channel will become Pope Radio for a week, to carry every moment of the Holy Father's visit to Cuba and the United States," said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.  "Anyone who wants to really follow Pope Francis has only place to turn: Pope Radio on SiriusXM."

"Pope Francis's first visit to the U.S. is a historic event and we have created special programming for our listeners nationwide," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer.  "SiriusXM and the Archdiocese have created this channel to cover virtually every minute of the journey not only to give people around the country access to these events as they happen, but also to give them a platform to discuss what the Holy Father's visit means to them personally."

On September 19 and 20, the days leading up to the launch of Pope Radio, The Catholic Channel will present a two-day special that will preview the Pontiff's visit.  Prelude to the Pope will air throughout the day this Saturday and Sunday and will include live coverage of select events from Cuba, where Pope Francis will be before travelling to the U.S.  Listeners will also hear specials that will inform them about Pope Francis's background and his elevation to the Papacy, and examinations of the social and political impact he has had on the world as the Holy Father.

Visit www.siriusxm.com/pope for more info on Pope Radio.