Pope Francis said he will visit the U.S. in 2015. “I wish to confirm according to the wishes of the Lord, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families,” he said. His remarks were made to a group of non-Catholic religious leaders that had been invited to Rome to discuss family values and to try to build ecumenical ties that included Rick Warren and other evangelical pastors.
Though he didn’t mention it in his speech the pope also plans to visit New York and the United Nations. He will be the fourth reigning pope to visit the United States. The event from September 22-27 will draw up to 1 million people.
The pope has had many invitations from U.S. dignitaries and others to visit the United States, including President Obama, John Boehner, speaker of the House of Representatives, Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, and Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City. No doubt he will have other places to visit as well.
Keep in mind that a papal emphasis on the family and traditional marriage carries with it an emphasis on Sunday rest. Family time and a work-free Sunday is a papal mantra. The popularity of the pope gives him the strong influence in the United States and a papal visit will certainly nudge the U.S. toward its prophetic destiny.
“Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.” The Great Controversy, page 588.
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