Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Announces Vatican Visit in Preparation for World Meeting of Families in September, 2015

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett today joined Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and members of the business and civic community to announce that they have been invited to travel to the Vatican to begin planning for the Eighth World Meeting of Families. 

"As members of the Catholic faith, Sue and I are deeply honored to be part of the delegation scheduled to meet with the Holy Father," Gov. Corbett said. "As we begin the planning for this substantial undertaking, we note the tremendous privilege of hosting this global event. The commonwealth will work very closely with the Archdiocese, the City of Philadelphia and the federal government to ensure that all guests – anticipated to be as many as one million - enjoy our great state and the Philadelphia region as a world-class destination." 

Corbett and Nutter serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Eighth World Meeting of Families. The Vatican meetings will take place March 24-26, 2014 and will include a Papal Audience with Pope Francis. 

The World Meeting of Families is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia, September 22-27, 2015.  Estimates for economic impact from the event are in the rage of $100 million. 

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Blessed John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe. Each World Meeting of Families has a theme, which aims to emphasize the good news of the family and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. The official theme for the Eighth World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia will be announced at the March 25 press conference at La Sala Stampa. 

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org.

Media contact: Lynn Lawson, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor