Pope Francis to visit U.S. for first time in September

Pope Francis said today he plans to visit Philadelphia next year on his first trip to the U.S. as leader of the world's Catholics.

The pope will attend the Church's World Meeting of families in September, according to a speech he made today, published on the Vatican's website. He didn't specify whether he will visit other cities.

Francis will be the fourth pope to visit the U.S. after Paul VI, John Paul II, and his predecessor Benedict XVI. Since becoming pope in March 2013, he has been to the Middle East, Albania, Brazil and South Korea.

"I am overjoyed and elated on this joyous day!" Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput said in a social media post, commenting on the pope's announcement. He added that the pope's presence will "electrify the gathering."

Francis has made the family one of the focal points of his papacy. Last month, bishops from all over the world gathered in Rome for an extraordinary meeting to discuss family values and issues like same-sex unions and divorce. The meeting yielded mixed results, with bishops breaking new ground by discussing topics previously avoided by the church while backtracking on language in a draft document that had struck a warmer tone toward gays and non-traditional couples.

In his speech today in Rome the pope reaffirmed the church's belief that man and woman are "complementary," a fact that he said is at the core of matrimony and family.

The World Meeting of Families will take place from Sept. 22-27, according to the official website of the event. The meetings take place every three years. About one million people attended the mass celebrated by Pope Benedict after the last event held in Milan in 2012.