Pope Francis’ visit to New York becoming more likely, Archdiocese officials say

By Nicole Hensley
New York Daily News
January 11, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/pope-francis-visit-new-york-archdiocese-article-1.2073918

Catholic leaders are confident that Pope Francis — shown here at the Sistine Chapel during a baptizing ceremony Sunday — will visit New York.

A papal visit would be the first in seven years, when Pope Benedict stopped by in 2008 and even went to Yankee Stadium to celebrate Mass.

Pope Benedict also met with families of 9/11 victims at Ground Zero in 2008.

After months of building speculation, Catholic leaders with the New York Archdiocese would be stunned if Pope Francis chose not to visit the Big Apple this year.

While no official word has come down from the Vatican, internal chatter at the archdiocese expects a visit during September’s trip to Philly’s World Meeting on Families.

“We can’t really go beyond our strong sense that he will come to New York,” diocese spokesman Joe Zwilling told the Daily News, but adding it would be a “much bigger shock if he was not coming at this point.”

The signs that suggest Pope Francis’ visit — that could also include Washington D.C. — are there.

He hinted at a speaking engagement at the United Nations and even Congress in August, but has shied away from any solid confirmation since the US trip was announced last summer.

Even Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, is confident of a visit.

“I think the Pope will go to United Nations, everybody is speaking about that … but no official announcement has been delivered,” Parolin said last week.

It would also be 50 years since Pope Paul VI made the first papal trek to NYC — perfect timing for an anniversary visit. Pope John Paul II stopped by twice in 1979 and 1995 and Pope Benedict XVI made the most recent visit in 2008 to address the UN General Assembly.

Planning for a papal visit can’t truly begin until the Vatican announces details of his voyage, Zwilling stressed, which could happen this spring or summer.

“We would all want to know tomorrow if we could,” Zwilling added. “We’re looking forward to the possibility ... still anxiously awaiting word.”