In remarks offered today in Rome, Pope Francis formally announced his intention to attend the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015, set to be held September 22-27, 2015. This visit will mark his first to the United States as pope. He will be only the fourth reigning Pontiff to visit our nation in its history.

The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today packaged 10,000 letters from students across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to send to Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, in Rome, Italy. Ranging from beautifully crafted greeting cards to handwritten letters with emotionally resonant messages of love for their own families, students from across the Archdiocese created personal invitations to Pope Francis to visit Philadelphia in September 2015.

In remarks offered today at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Fall Assembly, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. announced that registration for the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015, which is being held September 22-25, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA, is now officially open.

The Office for Black Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will hold its 52nd Annual Saint Martin de Porres Prayer and Praise Service to celebrate the canonization of Saint Martin de Porres, the patron saint of Universal Brotherhood.

In December 2013, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia published audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. Those financial statements disclosed a $4.9 million core operating deficit for that period exclusive of non-recurring credits and charges.