Fresh from a successful 5-day papal and state visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis, speaking to journalists on his flight back to Rome from the Philippines Monday, announced his visit to the United States in September this year with a stop at New York City and other states.

New Yorkers were  thrilled upon receiving news that Pope Francis will be visiting the city during his week-long tour in the U.S. which includes Washington D.C. and Philadelphia in his itinerary.

Like Us on Facebook

Already, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed excitement over the Pope's  scheduled visit, saying the city will be more than happy to host the pontiff and be blessed with his presence and messages on global issues like social justice and inequalities.

"New York City will be excited and delighted to host Pope Francis during his visit to the United States this September," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. "The Pope should know New York will welcome him with open arms," he added.

The Mayor said Pope Francis is the leading global voice on a range of issues and New Yorkers from various religious backgrounds will be tremendously honored and humbled with his presence.

The United States has the fourth largest Catholic population in the world after Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. With 80 million members, it is the largest denomination in the U.S., comprising 25 percent of the population.

Francis said his visit will include his canonization of Junipero Serra, the 17th century missionary who established nine missions in California during his Washington leg of the U.S. trip. The event will be held at the National Shrine.

The pope is expected to visit the White House and speak before Congress, grace an affair at the United Nations headquarters in New York, and participate in the World Meeting of Families conference in Philadelphia to be held from September 25-27.

The Catholic News Agency reported Monday that the pope may visit the World Trade site and celebrate mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Madison Square Garden during his New York visit from September 24 to 26,.

New Yorkers expressed their delight at the news, saying that the pope is a "wonderful representative of peace" and that all faiths will gladly listen to his messages of peace and harmony.,

"I would be so happy to see him," Maggie Settepani, of Long Island, said, "He's a wonderful, wonderful pope. Great thing for the Catholic Church."

City councilor Melissa Park Viverito said the pope's messages of fighting poverty and inequalities have been the center of his papacy and that she is excited that he is bringing these issues to New York in the fall.

Others said they expect Francis to speak to the youth so they will follow the teachings of the Church.

This will be Pope Francis' first visit to the U.S. since assuming the papacy. He will be the fourth pope to visit New York.

Pope Francis said he wanted to go to as many nations as possible to bring peace and spread the word of God. He said he hoped to visit Bolivia, Ecuador, and Paraguay and South Africa in the future.

TagsPope Francis, New York City, Pope Francis, Papal visit, U.S. trip, Catholic Church, New York City, Vatican