Bishop: Pope 'expected' in Philadelphia

By Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill
Courier-Post
July 25, 2014

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2014/07/25/pope-coming-philadelphia/13159985/

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Visitors take photos of Pope Francis as he speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Cleric watch as Pope Francis speaks to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pilgrims wait in St. Peter's Square as cardinals meet in conclave to elect a new pope at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Black smoke billowed from a chimney on the Sistine Chapel earlier in the day signifying that a pope had not yet been elected.

FILE - This Aug. 7, 2009 file photo shows Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio giving a mass outside the San Cayetano church in Buenos Aires. Bergoglio, who took the name of Pope Francis, was elected on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

People react after white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who chose the name of Pope Francis, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis is expected to visit Philadelphia during a Catholic gathering next year, the Diocese of Trenton said in a statement today.

The Pope's will come to the South Jersey-Philadelphia area for the World Meeting of Families from Sept. 22-27, 2015, the diocese said in a statement.

Bishop David O'Connell, leader of the Trenton diocese, said he was "delighted to learn that Pope Francis has expressed his intention to attend the World Meeting of Families."

SEE ALSO: Philadelphia acts on prospect of papal visit in 2015

O'Connell initially issued a statement saying the Pope had confirmed plans for a Philadelphia visit. He later clarified his language to say Francis "is expected to be present."

The Philadelphia Archdiocese, while expressing "sincere hope" for a papal visit, said Friday it has not yet received "official confirmation" from the Vatican.

"We still expect that any official confirmation will come approximately six months prior to the event," the statement said.

At the same time, it noted Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput "has frequently shared his confidence in Pope Francis' attendance at the World Meeting and his personal conversations with the Holy Father are the foundation for that confidence."

We are further heartened and excited by the comments of the Vatican Press Office regarding Pope Francis' 'willingness to participate in the World Meeting of Families.' "

The statement was issued one day after Chaput told the Catholic News Service, "Pope Francis has told me that he is coming."

"While Archbishop Chaput's comments do not serve as official confirmation, they do serve to bolster our sincere hope that Philadelphia will welcome Pope Francis next September," said the archdiocese' statement.

O'Connell said the Pope's "consistent focus on the importance of family life will be a source of great encouragement to all those participating."

"Pope Francis has had such a positive impact on the Catholic Church in the United States. It will be wonderful for Catholics here to meet him in person and experience the love and warmth that he radiates wherever he goes."

O'Connell said he looks forward "to whatever ways our Catholic people in the Diocese of Trenton can assist in welcoming the Holy Father to the 'City of Brotherly Love.' "