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Pope Confirms Hopes For 3-City US Trip In 2015

By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pope Francis uttered the words again: he wants to come to the U.S. next year and is considering a three city trip that includes Philadelphia.

Aboard the papal plane as it made its way back to Italy from a trip to Asia, the Pope spoke briefly about visiting Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families Conference.

He said he would like to come to Philadelphia for the encounter of families, and he was also invited by the President to speak to Congress in Washington, and by the secretary general of the United Nations in New York.

"They're the kind of comments that have bolstered our confidence all along that we may be blessed with a visit from the holy father next year in Philadelphia," said Archdiocese of Philadelphia spokesman Ken Gavin. "But there's no confirmation yet that he will be attending."

A Spanish language Catholic news agency, Aci Prensa, quotes the Pope as saying "maybe the three cities together."

The Pope also said he may take advantage of an invitation to visit Mexico, but "it's not certain."

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