8th World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia

Following the Papal Mass in Milan and before reciting the Angelus, the Pope, speaking off the cuff said, “I cannot find the words to express my thanks for your presence here for this celebration of the Family.” And to the cheers of the hundreds of thousands gathered, the Holy Father announced that the 2015 World Meeting of Families would take place in Philadelphia in the United States.


“I now have the joy of announcing that the next World Meeting of Families will take place in 2015 in Philadelphia in the United States of America. I send my warm greetings to Archbishop Charles Chaput and to the catholics of that great city, and look forward to meeting them there along with numerous families from all around the world. May God bless you all!”

There was also loud applause when the Auxillary Bishop of Milan Erminio De Scalzi announced that Pope Benedict was donating 500 thousand euro to those affected by the recent earthquake in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

In concluding remarks the Pope encouraged the faithful to be always near to families who face difficulties, such as those Italian families stricken by the recent earthquake and those who face hardship due to the economic crisis. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report