Pope Francis To Visit US In 2015: 4 Fast Facts About Argentine Pontiff’s Trip To Philadelphia

The United States will be graced with a visit from Pope Francis in 2015, reported the Catholic News Service on Friday. The news was announced by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, while speaking at the Tekakwitha Conference in Fargo, N.D. on Thursday. The trip in 2015 would be the first trip for Pope Francis after becoming the leader of the Catholic Church in March 2013. The last time a pope visited was 2008, when the previous pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, came to the country.

Here are four fast facts about the Argentine pope's visit:

1. Pope Francis will be attending the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. “We still expect that any official confirmation will come approximately six months prior to the event,” stated the Archiocese of Philadelphia in a press release. “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.”

2. Pope Francis will be attending the events on Sept. 22-27, 2015.

3. Whether the pope will extend his stay for other events and obligations is yet to be announced. According to Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, other U.S. cities have invited the pontiff to visit and the pope is still considering the invites.

4. Many believe, considering the timing of the visit, that Pope Francis will be visiting the United Nations as well.