MacArthur stages lottery for tickets to Pope’s historic Congressional speech

After His Holiness Pope Francis leaves Philadelphia, his itinerary takes him to Washington, D.C. for a historic occasion - and a few lucky constituents in shore Representative Tom MacArthur's Third Congressional District will be in attendance.

MacArthur (R-3) has organized a lottery drawing for tickets he's been given for the Pope's unprecedented address to a joint meeting of Congress on September 24.

"I am honored to attend such a historic event and share this with the residents of New Jersey," MacArthur said in a prepared statement. "I admire Pope Francis' faith and his compassion for the poor and needy. With so many requests flooding our office we have opened up a lottery for constituents in our district to attend the Papal Audience on the West Lawn and receive a blessing from His Holiness."

Residents in his district who want to take part in the drawing should fill in the entry form in the portal on MacArthur's Congressional web page. No entries are being taken by phone. Entries will be taken through September 14, and winners will be announced the following day.