.- Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore said last week Pope Benedict XVI is interested in visiting the United States in 2007, perhaps adding the stopover to a proposed trip to Brazil for the V General Conference of the Latin American Bishops’ Council.
The cardinal told WBAL radio in Baltimore that during his recent visit to the Vatican, the Pope told him of his desire to come to the United States, but that it would not be in 2006, as some media outlets were speculating.
Cardinal Keeler said that he had invited the Pope to visit for the rededication of the city's Assumption basilica in November of this year, but the Holy See responded that it would not be possible as the Pontiff has other trips scheduled for this year.
