This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7354023.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Pope to speak at United Nations Pope Benedict makes speech to UN
(20 minutes later)
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived at the United Nations in New York to give a speech on the final stage of his six-day tour of the US. The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has begun a speech to the United Nations in New York on the final leg of his six-day US tour.
He is expected to stress the importance of human rights and talk about how the world's bottom billion, its poorest people, should not be forgotten.He is expected to stress the importance of human rights and talk about how the world's bottom billion, its poorest people, should not be forgotten.
His agenda before returning to Rome includes visiting Ground Zero and a synagogue, and Mass at Yankee Stadium.His agenda before returning to Rome includes visiting Ground Zero and a synagogue, and Mass at Yankee Stadium.
On Thursday he celebrated open-air Mass in Washington DC before 40,000 people. On Thursday he celebrated open-air Mass in Washington before 40,000 people.
After arriving at New York's JFK Airport from the capital, he flew to the UN building by helicopter and was met by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.After arriving at New York's JFK Airport from the capital, he flew to the UN building by helicopter and was met by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Benedict XVI will be the third pope to address the UN, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports from New York. Benedict XVI is the third pope to address the UN, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports from New York.
Security is tight at the building. Police have blocked off the surrounding area, just as they do when world leaders are in town.Security is tight at the building. Police have blocked off the surrounding area, just as they do when world leaders are in town.
Staff and diplomats are eagerly awaiting Pope Benedict's arrival, our correspondent says. Tickets for the Pope's speech were highly sought after, our correspondent says - each country got six seats, and there was stiff competition for them.
Tickets for his speech are highly sought after - each country gets six seats, and there is stiff competition for them.
Addressing abuseAddressing abuse
Celebrating Mass at the Nationals stadium in the US capital 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 Mass at the Nationals stadium in the US capital 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 told the victims he would pray for them and their families.The Pope 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 must continue, he said.Efforts to protect children must continue, he said.
The BBC's David Willey, who is travelling with the Pope during his visit, says that for the third time in as many days, the pontiff has done what many Catholics have been asking for years.The BBC's David Willey, who is travelling with the Pope during his visit, 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.