Speaking in Fargo, N.D., Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput gave the strongest indication yet that Pope Francis will be coming to the City of Brotherly Love next year - not that further confirmation was needed.
"Pope Francis has told me that he is coming," Chaput reportedly said.
The Vatican still has not confirmed the trip and isn't expected to do so for months. But Francis' attendance at the triennial World Meeting of Families, which comes to Philly in September 2015, was considered by many to be a done deal even before Mayor Nutter, Gov. Corbett and Chaput went to Rome earlier this year to formally invite him.
The trip will be Francis' first visit to the United States. He is expected to give an outdoor mass, possibly on the Ben Franklin Parkway, while in Philadelphia. There is speculation he may make other high-profile stops, like addressing a joint session of Congress or the United Nations General Assembly.