Pope Francis will visit the U.S. Capitol on September 24 and deliver an address to a joint session of Congress, House Speaker John Boehner announced on Thursday.
The Pope confirmed last month that he will visit Washington D.C., New York City and Philadelphia during the first trip of his papacy to the United States.
The address will be the first time a Pope has addressed a joint session of Congress.
Boehner extended an open invitation to Pope Francis last March, saying that the first Pope from the Americas “has inspired millions of Americans with his pastoral manner and servant leadership, challenging all people to lead lives of mercy, forgiveness, solidarity, and humble service.”
— Alex Moe and Carrie Dann