Pope Benedict XVI Addresses the General Assembly of the United Nations

"Peace and Prosperity with God's Help!"

The Holy Father began his remarks by calling to mind the speeches that his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI, had delivered at the United Nations. He praised the "founding principles" of the U.N.--"the desire for peace, the sense of justice, the respect for the dignity of the person, cooperation and humanitarian assistance"--as "expressions of the just aspirations of the human spirit." International cooperation is needed regarding "questions of security, the objectives of development, the reduction of inequality locally and globally, the protection of the environment . . . " Organizations such as the United Nations can facilitate cooperation, but they must be based firmly on moral principles.

Too often, rights are regarded as merely legislation. "When presented purely in terms of legality," the Holy Father argued, "rights risk becoming weak propositions divorced from the ethical and rational dimension which is their foundation and their goal." He praised the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for recognizing that "respect for human rights is principally rooted in unchanging justice." Rights are "the fruit of a commonly held sense of justice built primarily upon solidarity among the members of society, and hence valid at all times and for all peoples." Might does not make right: "Human rights . . . must be respected as an expression of justice, and not merely because they are enforceable through the will of the legislators."

Since rights are an expression of justice, new rights cannot simply be made up. Discernment--"the capacity to distinguish good from evil"--is "an indispensable and a fruitful virtue" when considering the question of rights. Without discernment, "laws and institutions" might undermine social order. Discernment flows from "a vision of life firmly anchored in the religious dimension." Recognizing "the transcendent value of every man and woman favours conversion of heart, which then leads to a commitment to resist violence, terrorism and war, and to promote justice and peace." Through the free exercise of religion, which Pope Benedict had praised at the White House welcoming ceremony, "great benefits ensue for individuals and communities."

The free exercise of religion, however, is different from the separation of Church and state, as American understand it. As the Holy Father made clear, "It is inconceivable . . . that believers should have to suppress a part of themselves--their faith--in order to be active citizens." Citizens must be allowed to bring their faith into the public square: "The full guarantee of religious liberty . . . has to give due consideration to the public dimension of religion, and hence to the possibility of believers playing their part in building the social order." To do otherwise "would fragment the unity of the person"--in other words, it would violate justice by undermining human dignity.

Relive the stops along Pope Benedict XVI's April 2008 apostolic journey to the United States and follow the Holy Father as he visits Washington, D.C., and New York City. Check back often for new photos!