罗马天主教教宗方济各计划9月访问美国之前到古巴访问。
他将是访问这个共产党岛国的第三位教宗。
梵蒂冈官员说，教宗方济各在协助美国和古巴关系正常化方面发挥了关键作用，去年接待了双方的代表团。
教宗方济各访美期间将在美国国会发表演讲，并会晤奥巴马总统，并在访问纽约联合国总部和参加费城教堂活动后结束行程。
Pope Francis plans to visit Cuba in September ahead of a scheduled visit to the United States.
He would become the third pope to visit the communist island nation.
Vatican officials say Pope Francis played a key diplomatic role in helping the United States and Cuba normalize relations, hosting delegations from the two countries last year.
In the U.S., Pope Francis will address Congress and meet with President Barack Obama, rounding off his trip with a visit to the United Nations in New York City and attending a church rally for families in Philadelphia.
