Pope Francis may address U.S. Congress, according to Archbishop Bernardito Auza

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Pope Francis' visit to the United States starting on Sept. 22 may include a visit to Congress and the White House, according to Archbishop Bernardito Auza.

"We might say really the highlight of the Washington visit might be his speech to the joint-meeting of Congress, so the Senate and the House of Representatives," Archbishop Auza told the Catholic New Agency.

The pope may also visit the White House and Ground Zero, according to Auza.

Until Auza's statements, it was only known the pope would be making a trip to Philadelphia for a large Mass service. Rev. Thomas Rosica, one of the spokesmen for the Vatican, told the Washington Post there are no officially announced plans for a trip to Congress and the White House.

An organizational visit by Vatican officials in February will determine the official plans.