Pope Francis is to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress on September 24 in Washington, DC.
House speaker John Boehner announced the “historic visit” by Francis.
This will be the first time a Pope has addressed a joint meeting of Congress.
Francis will speak to members of the US Senate and House of Representatives together.
Mr Boehner said he was “truly grateful Pope Francis has accepted our invitation”.
Other highlights during the Pope’s US visit will include the canonisation of Blessed Junipero Serra and a visit to the United Nations in New York.
No official announcement of the details of these parts of Pope’s US visit has been made.
But it has been announced that the Pope will participate in the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia on September 26-27.