Pope Set to Address UN;Nuncio Highlights Holy See's Role

(18 Apr 08 - RV) On Friday Pope Benedict XVI is set to make a key note address to the United Nations in New York.


A central part of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Voyage to the United States, Pope Benedict is the third Pope to address the international organisation after Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II.

The Holy Father arrived in New York Friday following a two day visit to the Archdiocese of Washington DC.

While in New York, the Pope reside at the Apostolic Nunciature.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore is the permanent observer for the Holy See at UN headquarters in New York.

He says in his address Pope Benedict will not focus on specific international trouble-spots, but will concentrate on the general argument that "our future must be based on respect for universal truths and our common humanity."

“One awaits the Pope as a moral authority, capable of instilling goodwill and faith in the future so this is why there is a great expectation”


Arcbishop Migliore underlines that the Church and the Catholic voice is held ‘in consideration’ in the context of the United Nations today, adding; “above all for its contribution to maintain and nourish spirituality and transcendence, without which society fragments”.

“In addition its message based on universal fraternity, reconciliation, proximity with man and nature makes it a natural ally in dialogue and cooperation for development”.

The Archbishop concludes; “UN agencies funds and programs that operate in the fields of education and development assistance maintain a relationship of collaboration with the local churches which are also present in the most remote corners of the earth”.