Bishop Richard J. Malone was present at the Vatican on Nov. 17, when Pope Francis announced he will attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next September.  Bishop Malone is in Rome, participating in the International Colloquium: The Complementarity of Man and Woman, through Nov. 19.  

It was a thrill to be in the presence of the Holy Father when he made the announcement," Bishop Malone said.  "I am delighted he has selected the World Meeting of Families for his first visit to the United States.  On many occasions, the pope has stressed the importance of the traditional family - at the colloquium, he said marriage between a man and woman is a 'fundamental pillar' of society and that children have the right to grow up with a mother and father. I look forward to leading a delegation from the Diocese of Buffalo to Philadelphia next year as the pope brings his message of  peace and love to our nation."

Bishop Malone is chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.