Vatican envoy hints on pope US visit: 'If he comes to Philadelphia, he will come to New York'

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, speaks at a news conference in the Italian consulate in New York, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. The news conference was to announce the exhibit of ancient manuscripts related to St. Francis of Assisi at United Nations headquarters starting on Friday, Nov. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (The Associated Press)

Ancient manuscripts related to St. Francis of Assisi are displayed on a monitor during a news conference in the Italian consulate in New York, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. The news conference was to announce the exhibit of ancient manuscripts related to St. Francis at United Nations headquarters starting on Friday, Nov. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (The Associated Press)

Flavia de Sanctis, president of the Associazione Antiqua, speaks at a news conference in the Italian consulate in New York, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. The news conference was to announce the exhibit of ancient manuscripts related to St. Francis of Assisi at United Nations headquarters starting on Friday, Nov. 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (The Associated Press)

The Vatican's envoy to the United Nations is strongly hinting at a visit by Pope Francis to New York next year to address world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, saying that "if he comes to Philadelphia, he will come to New York."

The pope in August confirmed that he wants to visit the United States in 2015 and that he'd like to go to Philadelphia for a family rally. He added that he's also been invited by President Barack Obama and Congress and by the U.N. secretary-general.

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the permanent observer of the Holy See, told The Associated Press on Thursday that likely only the pope himself will make an official announcement, but next year's 70th anniversary of the United Nations would be "the ideal time."