Report: Pope Francis To Attend World Meeting Of Families In Philly In 2015

CBS Philly
July 25, 2014

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/07/25/report-pope-francis-to-attend-families-meeting-in-philadelphia/

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — According to a report, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput has confirmed that Pope Francis will be coming to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in 2015.

A Catholic News Services article says that Pope Francis has accepted Archbishop Chaput’s invitation to attend the event to be held in Philadelphia in September 2015.

Despite the Catholic News Services article, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia released the following statement:

“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. We still expect that any official confirmation will come approximately six months prior to the event.

Archbishop 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.” 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.”

In April of this year, Archbishop Chaput, along with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, traveled to Rome to personally speak with Pope Francis about coming to Philadelphia.

The Vatican Press Office released the following statement via The Archdiocese spokesperson:

“Regarding visits to America, there have been several invitations that the Pope is carefully considering. The Holy Father has indicated his willingness to participate in the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015 but at the present moment, there are no concrete plans or programs for any visits to the United States or Mexico. Keep in mind that we are still one year away from the Philadelphia meeting.”

The event is scheduled to begin in Philadelphia on September 22nd, 2015.

If he were to attend, it would be Pope Francis’ first visit to Philadelphia.