Pope Francis will appear before the United States Congress on September 24 later this year to address them on an as yet unannounced topic. He will be the first in his position as head of the Catholic Church to do so.

President Barack Obama said that he is eager to welcome the Pope to the United States. Following his appearance at Congress, Pope Francis is scheduled to make an appearance at the White House to meet with the President. In addition, the Pope is also expected to address members of the United Nations in New York and to conduct a Catholic rally centered on family in Philadelphia.

House Speaker John Boehner expressed his excitement at the Pope's upcoming visit. "We're humbled that the Holy Father has accepted our invitation and certainly look forward to receiving his message on behalf of the American people. In a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father's message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds. His teachings, prayers, and very example bring us back to the blessings of simple things and our obligations to one another," he said, in an article at Fox News.

Pope Francis has been known to express his political opinions freely ever since he was elected as Pope. His support for immigrants is a core part of his papal policy, while his views on abortion and contraception have veered towards the more traditional Catholic views on the subjects.

The Pope's primary concern, however, remains on uplifting the lives of the poor and the marginalized. His stance on economic policies, for instance, is centered on the imbalances that make it difficult for the needy to live a quality life. He will almost certainly address this issue again when he gives his speech to Congress later this year.