Pope Francis to speak to Congress in September

Pope Francis will visit Washington DC on 24 September and address a joint meeting of Congress, house speaker John Boehner announced on Thursday.

The address will be the first of its kind. The pope is also scheduled to visit Philadelphia and New York during his time in the US.

Boehner extended an open invitation to Pope Francis last March, saying that the first Pope from the Americas "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."