Archbishop Charles Chaput told a North Dakota audience Thursday that Pope Francis had assured him he will visit Philadelphia for three days next year, and the Vatican seemed to confirm it, but the Archdiocese of Philadelphia insisted Friday that Chaput’s remarks were off-the-cuff and unofficial.

“There has been no official confirmation by the Vatican or The Holy See of Pope Francis' attendance at the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia,” communications director Kennet Gavin said in a statement Friday Morning.

However, Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi on Friday said Francis had expressed "his willingness to participate” in the triennial World Meeting, which is scheduled for September 22-27 of next year.

The international gathering is expected to draw about 300,000 visitors a day for its conferences promoting traditional family values and Catholic teachings. But but a visit by the pope to say Mass — traditionally scheduled for the final day — would likely draw more than a million.