CNA: "Pope Benedict hopes to visit the US in 2008"

CNA reports:

The spokesman for the Vatican, Fr. Fredrico Lombardi, announced yesterday that Pope Benedict XVI will make his first trip to the United States. Speaking on Italian state television, Fr. Lombardi said that the Pope plans to accept the invitation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to attend the General Assembly session in New York in September of 2008.

Other upcoming papal trips were also announced by the Vatican’s spokesman.

This September 7th-9th the Holy Father will travel to Vienna, Austria to deliver an “internationally important” speech to the diplomats accredited to the various international organizations headquartered in the Austrian capital.

The final voyage announced will be to the Marian shrine in Lourdes, France.

Update: In response to this confirmation, the Archdiocese of New York has released a statement.