Pope Benedict XVI may come to Philadelphia next April, according to a report from the Catholic News Service.
A Vatican spokesman had said earlier this year that the pope was planning a trip to the United Nations and New York City in 2008, likely in April.
According to the Catholic News Service's report, which cited Vatican officials, he may add Philadelphia and Boston to his itinerary. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia celebrates its 200th anniversary next year.
No official announcement has been made, however.
The last papal visit came in October 1979, when John Paul II came to Philadelphia shortly after being elected. The visit drew over 100 million people as John Paul II held an outdoor mass at Logan Circle.
To date, Benedict XVI has been an active traveler, making seven foreign trips in his short tenure.
It would be Philadelphia's second visit from an internationally recognized figure in as many years, after Prince Charles of Wales came for a weekend in January.
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