Will the Pope visit Houston?

(4/27/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- The wheels for a papal visit to the United States are in the works.

The Vatican has confirmed Pope Benedict XVI will visit New York City and the United Nations. It's not known when the Pope will come to the US.

Eyewitness News was there five years ago when Pope John Paul II visited Mexico City. Tens of thousands of pilgrims were on hand for the Pontiff's visit.

It's a much anticipated visit with many excited about the possibility of Pope Benedict XVI crossing the Atlantic.

"People want to meet him and want to witness his appearance," said Julia Rivera.

If agreed by the Vatican, this would be the first papal visit of the pope to the US. The Vatican has accepted the invitation to visit the United Nations in New York.

"It will be an important visit because it will give Americans a chance to see this man up close," said Father Ted Baenziger of the University of St. Thomas. "Now I met him when he was a Cardinal Archbishop and I talked to him and I tell you his English is wonderful and so he will be understood and beloved by the people I think."

Father Baenziger says a trip to Houston while in the US is a long shot.

"This Pope has shown he is not interested in visiting a large number of places, but in picking one place and making it an important event so I think he will probably stay in New York," said Baenziger.

"The past Pope was elected when he was 54 and this Pope was elected when he was 79, so the difference in age means you don't want to do all that much traveling and I agree with that."

The Archdiocese says the Pope visit wouldn't take place anytime soon, probably in the next year.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•