Pope Begins NYC Visit with UN Address

Pope Benedict XVI today extolled the virtues of diplomacy, and not "the decisions of a few," for resolving conflicts and said human rights for "all times and all peoples" had to be based on unchanging justice and not the legal whims of the day.

Speaking at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly, the pope also called for religious freedom as a universal right.

In keeping with past pronouncements, he made no explicit reference to a nation or conflict in particular. And he laid no specific blame in a speech densely packed with philosophy and theology. But he did mention briefly some specific priorities for the Vatican, like protecting the environment, and making sure that poor nations, especially in Africa, also reap the benefits of globalization.

On his fourth day in America —and his first visit as pope — Benedict traveled north from Washington on “Shepherd One,” the Alitalia papal plane, to New York, where he will visit ground zero and celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium before departing for Rome on Sunday night.