May 17, 2007 / 08:39 am
Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore has sent a written invitation to the Pope, asking that he pay a visit to Baltimore when he comes to address the United Nations in New York.
Though a date has not been established, Catholic News Service has reported that a UN trip is likely to take place next year.
The trip would be the pope's first visit to North America since his election in 2005. Cardinal Keeler invited Pope Benedict to visit the Basilica of the Assumption, the first cathedral in the United States, and the new Our Daily Bread Employment Center, which will be dedicated this month.
Created in 1789, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is the premier see from which other major U.S. dioceses were formed.