(dpa) -
Pope Benedict XVI gave Friday a resounding support to the international
organization, drawing on similarities between the missions of the Catholic
Church and the UN in their responsibility to protect and help people on Earth
attain basic freedoms.
The real nature and depth of the German-born pope and leader of church dogma
came forth in his lengthy address to the United Nations General Assembly,
packed with representatives from 192 countries, urging the organization to
realize its mission.
"My presence at this assembly is a sign of esteem for the United Nations,
and it is intended to express the hope that the organization will increasingly
serve as a sign of unity between states and an instrument of service to the
entire human family," the pope said, speaking in French.
"It also demonstrates the willingness of the Catholic Church to offer her
proper contribution to building international relations in a way that allows
every person and every people to feel they can make a difference," he
said.
Benedict said the Church can contribute her experience "of humanity"
to the UN.
He said human rights must include the right to religious freedom as an
expression of the individual and the community.
"The promotion of human rights remains the most effective strategy for
eliminating inequalities between countries and social groups, and for
increasing security," the pontiff said.
Benedict called for the full guarantee of religious freedom, which should not
be limited to the exercise of worship, but to the full public dimension of
religion that will allow the believers to play a role in society.
Benedict said the UN, ensconced in a small place in busy New York, has a
worldwide mission to promote "peace and justice." He pointed out that
the tiny Vatican City also has to exercise its "universal mission and
apostolate."
"In the internal debates of the UN, increasing emphasis is being placed on
the 'responsibilities to protect,'" the pope said. "Indeed
this is coming to be recognized as the moral basis for a government's claim to
authority."
"This organization performs an important service, in the
name of the international community, by monitoring the extent to which
governments fulfil their responsibility to protect their citizens," he
said.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who welcomed the pope earlier on arrival in
his 38th floor office, reminded the pope that the UN is a secular body, using
six official languages, but has no official religion. It has a small
meditation room, however.
"Whether we worship one God, many or none - we in the UN
have to sustain and strengthen our faith every day," Ban said before
Benedict delivered his speech.
"I am profoundly grateful (to) His Holiness Benedict XVI for bestowing
some of his faith on us - and for placing his trust in us," Ban said. "He
possesses both of these in abundance."
Benedict was greeted also by Srgjan Kerim, president of the
192-nation assembly, who also wished him a happy 81st birthday, which occurred
on Wednesday when he was visiting Washington and was given a reception there.