Representatives of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. expressed joy at the news that Pope Francis will address the U.S. Congress.
Yesterday afternoon, Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, announced that the Holy Father will speak before a joint meeting of Congress on September 24th, during his Apostolic Visit to the United States.
“It is a great honor and tremendous joy to welcome our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to the Archdiocese of Washington during his proposed pastoral visit to the United States in September 24, 2015,” a statement from the archdiocese read.
“This historic event will be a time of grace for all of us. We also look forward to the official announcement of more details of the visit.”
During his return flight from Manila, the Holy Father was asked on his upcoming visit to the United States, where he confirmed that he will only visit Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, the United Nations in New York and Washington, D.C.
He also revealed that he will canonize Blessed Junipero Serra and celebrate the canonization at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Blessed Serra, a 16th-century Spanish Franciscan who founded the first Catholic missions in Baja California, was beatified by St. John Paul II on Sept. 25, 1998.
