Landmark speech for Pope Francis to Congress in September

Pope Francis gives his speech in the Synod hall on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the IV Scholas Occurrentes World Educational Congress, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at the Vatican. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio said Thursday, that Pope Francis will address Congress Sept. 24, becoming the first pontiff to do so. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Francis gives his speech in the Synod hall on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the IV Scholas Occurrentes World Educational Congress, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at the Vatican. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio said Thursday, that Pope Francis will address Congress Sept. 24, becoming the first pontiff to do so. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

By Associated Press February 5, 2015 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress on Sept. 24, House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday, a first for the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics.

While it was known that Francis had been invited to address American lawmakers, Boehner’s announcement was the first word that Francis was coming and that a date was set.

“We’re humbled that the Holy Father has accepted our invitation and certainly look forward to receiving his message on behalf of the American people,” said Boehner, a Catholic who had asked Francis to come to Capitol Hill.

During his planned trip to the United States, Francis also is expected to visit the White House and speak at the United Nations. He will participate in a massive Catholic rally for families in Philadelphia.

It will be Francis’ first visit to the U.S. in a papacy that began two years ago.