Pope Will Attend Philadelphia Conference, Vatican Confirms

The World Meeting of Families’ iconic image, painted by local artist Neilson Carlin of Kennett Square. According to the Archdiocese, the oil painting depicts the Holy Family, “Mary, Joseph and Jesus, as a small child, as well as Mary’s parents, Saints Anna and Joachim.” (Image courtesy the Archdiocese of Philadelphia)

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After months of speculation, the Vatican confirmed early Monday morning that Pope Francis will attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015.

He will be the fourth reigning Pontiff to visit the United States, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said.

“As I’ve said many times before, I believe that the presence of the Holy Father will bring all of us – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – together in tremendously powerful, unifying and healing ways,” Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said Monday morning. “We look forward to Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia next September and we will welcome him joyfully with open arms and prayerful hearts.”

Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in 1,200 years, was named Time’s Person of the Year in 2013.

The World Meeting of Families was started by Pope John Paul II in 1994, and past events have been held in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009), and Milan (2012).

The event, which promotes traditional Catholic family values, is set for Sept. 22 to 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. Gov. Tom Corbett’s office said the event is expected have an economic impact on the region of about $100 million.

Now that Pope Francis has confirmed that he will be present, attendance at the event each day is expected to swell into the millions.

A Papal Mass is planned for Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, the Archdiocese said. Held on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, it will be open to the public.