Pope Francis to visit White House
The White House announced that President Obama and the first lady will welcome Pope Francis to the White House on Sept. 23. Francis also accepted House Speaker John Boehner's invitation to make a joint address to Congress, marking the first time any pope has ever delivered a speech to a joint meeting of Congress.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement that the president and the pope would continue the conversation they began when they met at the Vatican a year ago. Care for the poor and increasing economic opportunity for all will be a part of that conversation, as well as the environment, treatment of religious minorities, immigration and refugees.
The pope's late September visit includes stops in Washington, New York City and Philadelphia. In New York, he will address the U.N. General Assembly of world leaders on Sept. 25. From there, he will go to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. The trip is also Pope Francis' first visit to the U.S. as pontiff.