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mass crowd: Pope Francis arrives in the popemobile at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra.

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Director Joseph Clancy (right) and other members of the Secret Service visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington as preparations are finalized for Pope Francis to lead a canonization Mass. (AP Photo)

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The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington can be seen in this file photo taken Sept. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) ** FILE **

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, center, answers question for members of the media regarding Pope Francis' Mass next week, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the University Mall at The Catholic University of America in Washington. With Wuerl are John Garvey, left, president of The Catholic University of America and Msgr. Walter R. Rossi, right, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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A large congregation of worshipers makes their way up Harewood Road from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception carrying the relic of St. John Paul II en route to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine after the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Shrine on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, carries the relic of St. John Paul in a procession from Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to Saint John Paul II National Shrine after he conducted the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Shrine on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, blesses the relic of St. John Paul II (relic not pictured) during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, carries the relic of St. John Paul in a procession from Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to Saint John Paul II National Shrine after he conducted the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Shrine on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, at the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, offers a parishioner Holy Communion during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, prepares for Holy Communion during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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The relic of St. John Paul II sits near the main alter as Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, prepares for Communion during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, prepares for Holy Communion during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, offer remarks during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, offer remarks during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, offer remarks during the National Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast on Sunday, May 11. Khalid Naji-Allah/Special to The Washington Times

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The shrine, formerly known as National Shrine of Blessed John Paul II, was renamed the Saint John Paul II National Shrine and unveiled during a Sunday ceremony. (KHALID NAJI-ALLAH/SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES)

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Worshippers' welcome: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in all its grandeur (Lloyd Villas/The Washington Times)