The United Nations announced Wednesday that Pope Francis will visit during his trip to the United States, addressing the U.N. General Assembly in New York the morning of Sept. 25, before heading to Philadelphia.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated he was confident the pope's visit will inspire the international community to increase efforts for social justice and tolerance worldwide.
The pope will meet with the president of the General Assembly, in addition to participating in a town hall-style gathering with U.N. staff members, according to the announcement.
This stop is one of a few for Pope Francis on his first venture to the United States. He will spend time in Washington, D.C. to address a joint meeting of Congress the day before he heads to New York. Pope Francis is then expected to arrive in Philadelphia Friday evening as the World Meeting of Families wraps on Sept. 25.
Saturday, Pope Francis will participate in a cultural celebration called the Festival of Families on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and then on Sunday, the pope says Mass on the Parkway to a crowd that could swell to 2 million.
The Vatican is expected to release the pope's official trip itinerary in July, two months before the pope arrives in the U.S.
