Friday, April 18, 2008

• 10:45 a.m. Pope Benedict XVI will address the United Nations, after an early morning flight to New York.
• 5 p.m. Meeting with the Jewish Community at the Park East Synagogue.
• 6 p.m. Prayer service with leaders from other Christian denominations at St. Joseph's Church in Manhattan.

See Itinerary for more details

POPE AND RABBI SCHNEIER IN NEW YORK
Pope Benedict XVI stands with Rabbi Arthur Schneier before he speaks at the Park East Synagogue in New York April 18. (CNS photo/Gary Hershorn, Reuters)

At New York synagogue, pope encourages 'bridges of friendship'

NEW YORK (CNS) -- In a brief, movingly simple visit to a New York synagogue, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his respect for the city's Jewish community and encouraged the building of "bridges of friendship" between religions.

The encounter April 18 marked the first time a pope has visited a Jewish place of worship in the United States, and it came a day before the start of the Jewish Passover.

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POPE BENEDICT SPEAKS AT UNITED NATIONS
People listen as Pope Benedict XVI addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York April 18. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

Pope, at U.N., says no government or religion can limit human rights

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- Neither government nor religion has a right to change or limit human rights, because those rights flow from the dignity of each person created in God's image, Pope Benedict XVI said.

In his April 18 speech to the U.N. General Assembly, the pope insisted that human rights cannot be limited or rewritten on the basis of national interests or majority rule.

But he also said the role of religions is not to dictate government policy, but to help their members strive to find the truth, including the truth about the dignity of all people even if their religious views are different.

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POPE ARRIVES IN NEW YORK
Pope Benedict XVI descends the stairs from his airplane at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York April 18. (CNS photo/Ed Wilkinson, The Tablet)

'Lidia' of Public Television Fame to Cook for Pope in New York

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Lidia Matticchio Bastianich has cooked for her fair share of VIPs, including first lady Laura Bush and the presidents of Japan and Chile. Nothing, however, comes close to cooking for Pope Benedict XVI.

Bastianich, better known as simply "Lidia" to the fans of her public television cooking shows, is working her magic in the kitchen the two nights, April 18 and 19, the pope will spend in New York during his U.S. visit.

Pope's Visit to United Nations 'Eagerly Awaited,' says Vatican Nuncio

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI's April 18 visit to the United Nations "is eagerly awaited because the pope is seen as a moral authority offering clear guidance on the foundational values of life and of human society," said the Vatican's U.N. ambassador.

"In this sense the pope is considered an authority able to interpret and rally political will to work for the good of the international community," said Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the ambassador, or nuncio.

CNS photo/Bob Roller - The chair used by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's representative to the United Nations, when he observes the proceedings of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Connecticut Liturgical Supplier Gets Ready for Papal Masses

HARTFORD, Conn. (CNS) -- The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States will be a memorable event for all Catholics, but it will be especially so for one busy Connecticut religious supplies and church goods firm.

Patrick Baker and Sons Inc., with retail showrooms in Southington and Fairfield, is supplying vestments, candles and other items and will refurbish chalices to be used in the celebration of papal Masses in New York.

CNS photo/Roberta Tuttle, Catholic Transcript - Michael Baker, a salesman for Patrick Baker and sons Inc., shows a chasuble similar to those they will supply for the Masses celebrated in New York.

EVENTS FOR 4.18.2008

April 18, 2008 - 6 p.m. - Ecumenical Service
Windows media format

April 18, 2008 - 5 p.m. - Park East Synagogue
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April 18, 2008 - 10:30 a.m. - Address to the United Nations
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SPEECHES FOR 4.18.2008