Pope Francis to address U.S. Congress on Sept. 24

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Pope Francis will deliver an unprecedented address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Sept. 24, House Speaker John Boehner announced Thursday.

The Pope will make his first visit to the United States to attend the World Meeting of Families, to be held in Philadelphia, and confirmed in January he would also visit New York, where he will address the United Nations, and Washington. Although several popes have delivered speeches to the United Nations, an address to Congress would be historic.

Boehner, a Catholic, offered an invitation to the Pope in March, saying he "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."

A tentative schedule, submitted to the Vatican by U.S. church officials and U.N. representatives, calls for Pope Francis to arrive in Washington Sept. 22, then visit the White House and celebrate a Mass at Washington's Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the following day. On Sept. 25 he will address the United Nations, then visit Philadelphia before departing Sept. 27. The schedule has yet to be approved by Vatican authorities.