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Pope urges global unity on crises Pope urges global unity on crises
(10 minutes later)
The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has told the UN in New York that member states should solve the world's crises together.The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has told the UN in New York that member states should solve the world's crises together.
In his speech on the final leg of his six-day US tour, he said the world was still subject to "the decisions of a few", without naming countries.In his speech on the final leg of his six-day US tour, he said the world was still subject to "the decisions of a few", without naming countries.
He urged states to protect their people from "grave and sustained" human rights abuses or face outside intervention.He urged states to protect their people from "grave and sustained" human rights abuses or face outside intervention.
Benedict XVI is the third pope to address the UN.Benedict XVI is the third pope to address the UN.
The Pope is due to meet local leaders of other Christian faiths and to make a ground-breaking visit to a synagogue in New York on Friday, hours before the start of the Jewish Passover. The Pope has now arrived at a synagogue in New York for a ground-breaking visit, the first to a Jewish place of worship in the US by a Pope, just hours before the start of the Jewish Passover.
His agenda in New York, his last stop before returning to Rome, also includes visiting Ground Zero and celebrating Mass at Yankee Stadium.His agenda in New York, his last stop before returning to Rome, also includes visiting Ground Zero and celebrating Mass at Yankee Stadium.
'Decisions of a few''Decisions of a few'
The UN speech was rather theoretical, reports the BBC's David Willey, who is travelling with the Pope during his visit, with the pontiff referring to no countries by name.The UN speech was rather theoretical, reports the BBC's David Willey, who is travelling with the Pope during his visit, with the pontiff referring to no countries by name.
Pope Benedict XVI speaking to the UN General AssemblyPope Benedict XVI speaking to the UN General Assembly
"Every state has the primary duty to protect its own population from grave and sustained violations of human rights," the Pope said."Every state has the primary duty to protect its own population from grave and sustained violations of human rights," the Pope said.
"If states are unable to guarantee such protection, the international community must intervene with the juridical means provided in the United Nations Charter and in other international instruments.""If states are unable to guarantee such protection, the international community must intervene with the juridical means provided in the United Nations Charter and in other international instruments."
The real harm, he said, came from indifference or non-intervention.The real harm, he said, came from indifference or non-intervention.
Rules, the Pope argued, did not limit freedom but promoted it when they prohibited conduct and actions against the common good.Rules, the Pope argued, did not limit freedom but promoted it when they prohibited conduct and actions against the common good.
Multilateral consensus, he said, was "in crisis because it is still subordinated to the decisions of a few, whereas the world's problems call for interventions in the form of collective action".Multilateral consensus, he said, was "in crisis because it is still subordinated to the decisions of a few, whereas the world's problems call for interventions in the form of collective action".
Talking about war, the pontiff called for "a deeper search for ways of pre-empting and managing conflicts by exploring every possible diplomatic avenue".Talking about war, the pontiff called for "a deeper search for ways of pre-empting and managing conflicts by exploring every possible diplomatic avenue".
Attention and encouragement should be given to "even the faintest sign of dialogue or desire for reconciliation".Attention and encouragement should be given to "even the faintest sign of dialogue or desire for reconciliation".
In a separate speech to UN staff, Pope Benedict praised their work, saying their dedication was never sufficiently acknowledged.In a separate speech to UN staff, Pope Benedict praised their work, saying their dedication was never sufficiently acknowledged.
Addressing abuseAddressing abuse
Celebrating open-air Mass at the Nationals stadium in Washington DC on Thursday, the Pope spoke of the sexual abuse of children by US Catholic clergy before talking privately to a group of people who had been abused by priests.Celebrating open-air Mass at the Nationals stadium in Washington DC on Thursday, the Pope spoke of the sexual abuse of children by US Catholic clergy before talking privately to a group of people who had been abused by priests.
POPE'S ITINERARY 15 Apr: Arrived at Andrews Air Force Base16 Apr: White House luncheon; talks with Mr Bush. Meeting with US bishops and prayer service in Washington (evening)17 Apr: Washington Mass; addressed Catholic University; interfaith meeting18 Apr: Addresses UN19 Apr: New York Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral20 Apr: Ground Zero visit; Yankee Stadium Mass In pictures: Papal MassPope's tour: Reporter's diaryLatinos welcome Pope's wordsPOPE'S ITINERARY 15 Apr: Arrived at Andrews Air Force Base16 Apr: White House luncheon; talks with Mr Bush. Meeting with US bishops and prayer service in Washington (evening)17 Apr: Washington Mass; addressed Catholic University; interfaith meeting18 Apr: Addresses UN19 Apr: New York Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral20 Apr: Ground Zero visit; Yankee Stadium Mass In pictures: Papal MassPope's tour: Reporter's diaryLatinos welcome Pope's words
The Pope, who was addressing 40,000 people, told the victims he would pray for them and their families.The Pope, who was addressing 40,000 people, told the victims he would pray for them and their families.
He spent 25 minutes in individual meetings with half a dozen victims, some of whom were in tears during the encounters, a spokesman said.He spent 25 minutes in individual meetings with half a dozen victims, some of whom were in tears during the encounters, a spokesman said.
During the open-air Mass, the pontiff said: "No words of mine can describe the pain and the harm inflicted by the sexual abuse of minors."During the open-air Mass, the pontiff said: "No words of mine can describe the pain and the harm inflicted by the sexual abuse of minors."
Efforts to protect children had to continue, he said.Efforts to protect children had to continue, he said.
Our correspondent says that for the third time in as many days, the pontiff has done what many Catholics have been asking for years.Our correspondent says that for the third time in as many days, the pontiff has done what many Catholics have been asking for years.
He has condemned and publicly accepted full responsibility for the crimes of sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests in the US.He has condemned and publicly accepted full responsibility for the crimes of sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests in the US.
On Wednesday, the pontiff met President George W Bush at the White House.On Wednesday, the pontiff met President George W Bush at the White House.