Pope Francis confirms plans to visit New York City

January 20, 2015 Associated Press

Pope Francis is visiting NYC in September. AP Photo/Giuseppe Cacace, pool

Share this:

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he’s “excited and delighted” to host Pope Francis during his visit to the United States later this year.

The pope said Monday he plans to speak at the United Nations during his three-city trip to the U.S. in September. He made the disclosure at an in-flight news conference on the way home from the Philippines.

De Blasio called Francis “the leading global voice on issues of social justice and income inequality” and said New York will “welcome him with open arms.”

In November, Cardinal Timothy Dolan said he had “a hunch” Francis would visit the city and said he would try to speed up the massive renovation of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

A message seeking comment from the New York Archdiocese wasn’t immediately answered. No other details were provided on the New York portion of the trip.

Besides speaking at the United Nations, Francis is expected to visit the White House, address Congress, and participate in a massive Catholic rally for families in Philadelphia.

Francis said that during the Washington leg of his trip, he plans to canonize the 17th century missionary Junipero Serra likely at the National Shrine. Serra established nine missions in California.

Francis also said he hopes to visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay this year, as well as the Central African Republic and Uganda.