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April 18, 2008

Pope Benedict Addresses UN General Assembly 
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UN secretary-general greeted pontiff upon his arrival; pope will hold ecumenical prayer service at Catholic church later in the day 






Pope Benedict XVI poses with General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim, left, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 18 Apr 2008Pope Benedict XVI is addressing the U.N. General Assembly Friday, a day after celebrating Mass in Washington and holding a private meeting with a small group of people who were sexually abused by Catholic clergy. 

The pontiff, wearing a white cassock, waved to onlookers upon his arrival Friday in New York from Washington. He then headed to the United Nations, where he was greeted by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and others.

The pope Friday also is holding an ecumenical prayer service at a Catholic church with an estimated 250 Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic church leaders.

Thursday in Washington, the pope celebrated Mass for more than 45,000 people. During the outdoor event at the city's baseball stadium, Nationals Park, the pontiff expressed regret about the sexual abuse of minors by U.S. priests and called for healing for the victims.

He later held a private meeting at the Vatican embassy with a small group of sex abuse victims. 

Pope Benedict also addressed Catholic educators at Washington's Catholic University of America, praising them for their dedication while urging them to strictly uphold the teachings of the church.

Sunday in New York, the pope is to hold an outdoor Mass at Yankee Stadium, and visit the site of the former World Trade Center, which was destroyed by al-Qaida terrorists on September 11, 2001.



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