Pope Benedict XVI Heads for the Big Apple

Friday, April 18, 2008, the fourth day of Pope Benedict XVI's first apostolic journey to the United States, may seem leisurely by comparison with the previous day's schedule, which included a Mass at the Washington Nationals Stadium, as well as meetings with Catholic educators and representatives of other religions.

The Holy Father left Washington, D.C., early in the morning, after celebrating a private Mass. At 10:45 A.M., he is scheduled to deliver an address to the General Assembly of the United Nations, where he is expected to call for greater international cooperation to end violence and war, particularly in the Middle East. In this, he follows in the footsteps of his predecessor and namesake, Pope Benedict XV, who appealed for peace in the midst of World War II.

This evening, Pope Benedict will lead an Ecumenical Encounter at St. Joseph Church in Manhattan with leaders of other Christian denominations, at which he will express his desire for Christian unity.

Readers in New York City, or those heading to New York for the papal Mass at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, April 20, should check out "Pope Benedict XVI Visits New York City" by Pamela Skillings, the About.com Guide to Manhattan. Pamela has compiled an extensive list of street closures and transit changes that will take place during the Holy Father's visit.

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Resources for Pope Benedict's April 2008 Visit to the United States:

• Photo Gallery of Pope Benedict's April 2008 Visit to the United States
• Schedule of Pope Benedict's 2008 Visit to the United States
• Biography of Pope Benedict XVI
• White House Welcoming Ceremony for Pope Benedict
• Celebration of Vespers and Meeting With U.S. Bishops
• Mass at the Washington Nationals Stadium
• Pope Benedict XVI Visits New York City
(by Pamela Skillings, About.com Guide to Manhattan)