The president of Catholic Schools of Broome County plans to attend a Papal Mass at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan next week.

Richard Bucci said he was notified by the Diocese of Syracuse that he was chosen by lottery to be one of 87 recipients of two tickets to the Mass.

Bucci, a former mayor of Binghamton, said he plans to attend the Mass with his wife. It will be celebrated by Pope Francis on the evening of Friday, September 25.

Bucci said he is looking forward to attending the "extraordinary event." He said he knows it will be "a great experience."

About 20,000 people are expected to attend the Madison Square Garden Mass.

The Pope is scheduled to arrive in the United States on Tuesday afternoon. He's expected to arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland around 4 p.m.

A welcome ceremony and meeting with President Obama is to be held at the White House on Wednesday.

The Pope is to arrive in New York City on Thursday with an evening prayer scheduled at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

On Friday, he is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly and participate in a religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center.

Pope Francis then is to visit Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27.

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