Pope to champion human rights in UN address

Source: AFP

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — Pope Benedict XVI was Friday to defend human rights at a landmark speech to the UN General Assembly as part of his ground-breaking and emotional trip to the United States.

The pontiff, whose Alitalia jet arrived at JFK International, flew by helicopter to the UN headquarters where he was met by UN chief Ban Ki-Moon before his scheduled speech.

The UN address was to be one of the highlights of Benedict's first papal visit to the United States during which he has taken unprecedented steps to atone for decades of sexual abuse of young people by US Catholic priests.

After celebrating Mass with some 48,000 people in Washington Thursday, Benedict met privately with five abuse victims to offer them solace as he acknowledged the pain and damage caused by the scandal.



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He is calling for socialism and end of racism. Time to desegregate churches