Pope Francis May Visit US for 2015 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania World Meeting of Families: Congress, Mexico Stops Also Possible

The possibility of Pope Francis visiting the United States is closer to becoming a reality. The Argentine pope may visit the City of Brotherly Love this coming year.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput from Philadelphia announced at the opening Mass of the Tekakwitha Conference in Fargo, North Dakota that his Holiness would be visiting Philadelphia, according to the Catholic News Service. Chaput announced the news on July 24.

In September of 2015, Philadelphia will host the World Meeting of Families from Sept. 22 to 27. Archbishop Chaput invited the pontiff and told those present during the homily that the pope had told Chaput that he will attend.

However, the Vatican has yet to confirm the pope's attendance. The Catholic News Service reports that Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said the pope has expressed "his willingness to participate in the World Meeting of Families" and has received invitations from other cities like New York and Washington, D.C.

This would be a pope's first visit to the United States since Pope Benedict XVI visited in April of 2008. During his visit, he held mass in various American cities.

According to the National Catholic Reporter, the Philadelphia archdiocese did not officially confirme the pope's visit, telling the Catholic publication "these trips are never 'set' until they're official." The Reporter adds that the Vatican "does not confirm the dates of papal trips until shortly before they occur."

However, the pope places great importance in the family, and he has made family the theme of October's upcoming Synod of Bishops, reports the National Catholic Reporter. The pope could also be visiting the U.S. in September to make an appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, which meets during that month.

Congress also invited Pope Francis, according to the Washington Post, and could take the opportunity to visit the legislature. Rumors are also circulating that the pope could visit Mexico as well when he is in North America, reports the Boston Globe. Mexico's president confirmed that Pope Francis will visit his country sometime next year.