Report: Pope Francis to visit Philadelphia

Pope Francis will visit Philadelphia next year, according to a report in the Catholic News Service.

Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput said the pope has accepted his invitation to attend the World Meeting of Families when he visits the United States next year.

The news serivice said the archbishop made the announcement Thursday at a conference in Fargo, North Dakota.

"Pope Francis has told me that he is coming," Chaput was quited as saying, referring to the Sept. 22-27, 2015, meeting in Philly. "The pope will be with us the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of that week."

There was no immediate confirmation from the Vatican, where the pope popped in unannounced Friday at the workers' cafeteria. He lined up, tray in hand, to eat with stunned diners, according to the Associated Press.

Cashier Claudia Di Giacomo told Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that when Francis presented his tray with a plate of cod, a bowl of fusilli pasta without sauce, a side of grilled tomatoes and "just a few" french fries, she "didn't have the courage to hand him the bill."

Francis chatted with his tablemates – five Vatican pharmacy stock clerks who snapped photos. He gave a papal blessing, said the cafeteria chef, Franco Paini.

The pope usually dines at the Vatican guest house where he lives.

The trip would be Francis' first visit to the United States since becoming pope in March 2013. The previous pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, last visited this country in 2008.

This story includes material from the Associated Press and USA Today.

Contact News Delivery Editor Jon P. Zaimes at (302) 324-2813 or jzaimes@delawareononline.com.