Pope set to visit USA next year

Pope Benedict XVI will visit the USA in 2008, stopping at Washington DC and New York City, where he will give an address at the UN.

The Pope's visit is scheduled for 15 to 20 April, and is expected to take in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where he will meet Catholic bishops of the USA.

The Bishop of Spokane, William Skylstad, who is also president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said, "This is a blessed moment for our nation.

"Pope Benedict is not just the leader of Catholics, he is also a man of inspiration for all those who work for peace."

The Archbishop of Washington, Donald Wuerl, said, "It is an enormous privilege for the Church of Washington to host our Holy Father. We pledge to do all that we can to make his presence among us a moment of true spiritual renewal and a vibrant manifestation of God's kingdom at work among us."