Here isthe text of a letter from the bishops of the United States to invite Pope Francis to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
The bishops approved the text of the letter at their spring meeting underway in New Orleans.
The world meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22-27, 2015.
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June 11, 2014
Most Holy Father,
Assembled in New Orleans at our spring plenary meeting, we the Catholic Bishops of the United States look forward with joyful anticipation to the Eighth World Meeting of Families that is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia in September 2015. This event will be an occasion for Catholics from around the world to reflect on family life, and the role that families can play in strengthening our society and our Catholic faith.
We wish to take this opportunity to warmly invite Your Holiness to grace us with your presence at this event. We have no doubt that the participants would be deeply honored, and would receive with gratitude your pastoral reflections on the meaning of the family.
It is our fervent hope, Your Holiness, that you will favorably consider our invitation to visit us in the United States. Your presence would not only add significance to the World Meeting of Families, but also serve to deepen the bonds of affection that our faithful and many other Americans share with you as Bishop of Rome.
Respectfully and fraternally yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D.
Archbishop of Louisville
President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops”
