Pope Francis to visit European parliament on November 25

Pope Francis will speak to members of the European parliament in the French city of Strasbourg on November 25, the parliament said Thursday.

"The official visit will take place on 25 November 2014 in Strasbourg. On this occasion the Pope will address the members during a formal session," the parliament said in a statement.

Parliament President Martin Schulz told parliamentary group leaders that the pope had accepted an invitation extended to him last year, it said.

The late Pope John Paul II made a visit to the European parliament on October 11, 1998.

The Argentine pope has made three official trips since the beginning of his pontificate in March 2013: to Brazil, the Middle East and to South Korea last month.