Pope Francis Considers Addressing UN General Assembly in September 2024

Pope Francis is reportedly considering a return visit to the United States in September 2024 to address the United Nations General Assembly during the UN's 'Summit of the Future.' Sources within the Vatican Secretariat of State suggest that the pontiff has received a formal invitation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and he is inclined to accept.

The potential trip would coincide with the 'Summit of the Future' scheduled by the UN for September 22-23, 2024. The September summit aims to strengthen the UN's structures and global governance to address new and enduring challenges. Pope Francis has emphasized the significance of the summit and urged students to contribute to its objectives, stating, "The September summit is an important event. I urge you to help ensure the plan becomes concrete and is implemented through processes and actions for change."

Should Pope Francis make the journey, it would mark his return to the United States since his historic visit in 2015, during which he also addressed the United Nations, highlighting his commitment to global dialogue and diplomacy. However, considerations for the pope's health, who is 87 years old and has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years, are significant.

The proposed US trip could change the Pope's already-busy September travel schedule, which includes visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore from September 2-13, as well as a planned trip to Belgium to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the University of Louvain. The pope's planned trip to Belgium could potentially be postponed to 2025 to accommodate the UN visit.

Why this matters: Pope Francis addressing the UN General Assembly during the 'Summit of the Future' would underscore the Vatican's commitment to global cooperation and the importance of strengthening international institutions. The potential visit also highlights the Pope's ongoing efforts to engage with world leaders on critical issues facing humanity, despite his advanced age and health concerns.

While the Vatican has not yet officially confirmed the potential visit, the invitation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Pope's reported inclination to accept suggest a strong possibility of the trip taking place. The Pope's presence at the UN summit would lend significant weight to the discussions on strengthening global governance and addressing pressing global challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Pope Francis considering return visit to US in Sept 2024 for UN 'Summit of the Future'
• Invitation from UN Secretary-General, Pope inclined to accept despite health concerns
• Potential visit would mark Pope's return to US since historic 2015 address to UN
• Visit could impact Pope's already-busy Sept travel schedule, including trips to Asia
• Pope's UN address would underscore Vatican's commitment to global cooperation