The Vatican this week formally selected Philadelphia as the host for a massive international Roman Catholic gathering, which will make its U. S. debut.
Philadelphia will host the World Meeting of Families Sept. 22-27, 2015.
The announcement was initially made several months ago, but made official this week. The event, which will bring thousands of Catholics from around the globe to Philadelphia, is expected to have a “pro-family” focus. It is unclear to what extent antigay messages will be included.
The Pontifical Council for the Family organizes the event. The council focuses on the pastoral care of the family, “defense of life,” sex education, marriage-related legislation and “ethical and pastoral problems related to AIDS.”
The conference may also serve as the new pope’s first U.S. visit.
Archbishop Charles Chaput told reporters at a press conference Monday that the Archdiocese will plan for a papal visit.
“I can’t imagine that he won’t [attend], but I can’t promise that he will,” Chaput said.
The meeting is held every three years, and outgoing Pope Benedict XVI attended the 2012 event in Milan.
That conference had a three-pronged theme: the family unit, work and celebration.
“The theme looks at the couple formed by a man and a woman and this couple’s lifestyles,” organizers said on the event website.
The 2015 theme will be announced once the new pope is selected.
Organizers this week did unveil the event logo, which includes a bell, cross and five figures, which the archdiocese said in a statement represents “family unity, the city itself and also the city’s role as the birthplace of religious freedom in the United States.”
Chaput announced this week that Mayor Michael Nutter and Gov. Tom Corbett will serve as honorary co-chairs for the event.