The Vatican has announced that His Holiness Pope Francis will visit the United States in September, his first since his election to the papacy in March 2013. The charismatic 78-year-old Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina and is the first pope from the Americas.

The pontiff accepted a long-standing invitation from Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) to address a joint session of Congress scheduled for Sept. 24, the first pontiff to do so. Following the announcement, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) said, “We’re humbled that the Holy Father has accepted our invitation. In a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father’s message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds.”

Both Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), along with about a third of the members of Congress, are Catholic and Pelosi also welcomed the news of the pope’s visit saying, “Pope Francis has renewed the faith of Catholics worldwide and inspired a new generation of people, regardless of their religious affiliation, to be instrument of peace.” Roughly one in four Americans, around 76 million are Catholic according to a Pew Research survey.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also referenced the impact the pope has had throughout the world. “From the slums of Buenos Aires to St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis is moving the hearts of millions and inspiring a new generation with an engaging and compelling style.”

In addition to his trip to Washington, he will also speak at the United Nations in New York and attend a Philadelphia at the World Meeting of Families.

While in the U.S., it is expected that the pope will also meet with President Obama, although no plans have been announced. The two leaders, who met when the president traveled to the Vatican in Rome last March, have fundamentally opposite positions about the contraception mandate in the new Affordable Care Act, but have found much to agree on, including policies to address poverty and climate change. The president has said, “Like so many people around the world, I’ve been touched by his call to relieve suffering and to show justice and mercy and compassion to the most vulnerable.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called Pope Francis “the leading global voice on issues of social justice and income inequality,” adding “New Yorkers from all backgrounds will be tremendously humbled and honored to hear his message right here in our city.”

Since his installation as pontiff in 2013, Pope Francis has taken steps to reform the administrative bureaucracy within the Vatican and declared a zero-tolerance policy towards sex abuse. While reaffirming many of the fundamental values of the Catholic Church by opposing abortion and declaring marriage to be between a man and a woman, Francis has been outspoken in his support for the spiritual needs of homosexuals. His stance on issues like climate change, immigration, and poverty have made him an ally of liberal policymakers.

In the first two years of his papacy, Pope Francis has set an extensive travel schedule visiting Brazil, France and South Korea, as well as the Middle East where Islam is the dominant religion. In January he traveled to the Philippines celebrating a Mass attended by an estimated six million people. He opposed President Obama’s proposal to act against Syria for the use of chemical weapons and led a peace vigil that brought 100,000 to St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

Francis is the first Jesuit pope, a religious order that traditionally favors simplicity and service to the poor and oppressed. He has chosen to live in the guesthouse next to the Vatican, rather than at the more opulent apartment of the Apostolic Palace.

His choice of white vestments without excessive ornamentation, a simple iron crucifix and a silver ring rather than gold received recognition from Esquire magazine, which named him 2013’s “Best Dressed Man.” Pope Francis was Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” in 2013 and ranked by Fortune at the top of its list of “The 50 Greatest Leaders.” In January 2014, the pope was on the cover of Rolling Stone.

He has not been a stranger to controversy saying recently that Catholics “don’t have to breed like rabbits,” and said it was acceptable to spank children for discipline within limits.