Pope beseeches world leaders to protect the environment

In a speech at the United Nations, Pope Francis praised the Iran nuclear deal and decried the persecution of minorities in the Middle East.

The pontiff will also be visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and Central Park, in the second leg of his three-city visit to the United States. “Once you get in you can’t leave”, says Amy Waldman, WPIX New York news director. The prayer, consisting of petitions for God’s intercession, was said in multiple languages as a display of the Catholic Church’s diversity in New York. On the steps of the recently spruced up cathedral, dignitaries including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Sen.

“… I would mention another kind of conflict which is not always so open, yet is silently killing millions of people”. As the doors shut behind him, choir and organ music took over in place of ringing bells and screaming fans on the street.

His message was a pep talk to the audience, as he told them he is with them in this time of “pain and difficulty” and thankful for their faithful service. He switched from left pew to right pew to bestow greetings – and occasionally hugs and a kiss – to worshippers.

Before the pope walked up the main altar stairs, he blessed a handicapped girl in a wheelchair.

Holding hands and tenderly patting heads, Francis toured the classroom chatting in Spanish, before meeting migrant workers and their families who presented him with gifts, including a set of tools on behalf of the Big Apple’s army of day laborers. Here’s his full text. Obama told the pope he “value[s] the role the Catholic Church plays in … strengthening America”. “Amen”.

Along West 50th, on the way to St. Patrick’s, shops such as Erwin Pearl and Galerie Saint Gil were empty.

It was the first time DeGregorio had been to the cathedral since it had been renovated.

Being in the Pope’s presence, she said, will help heal her family.

“I am a citizen, but a lot of people suffer separation from the family. I hope to take home some of that blessing for him”. Some worshippers soaked up the spirituality of the day or reflected on Francis’ already pronounced legacy.

As CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan reports, no one knows exactly what the pope will say to the General Assembly, but if his speeches so far are any indication, he will not shy away from controversial topics including abortion, climate change and the refugee crisis. It’s not for a sports event or a concert.

Consequently, the defence of the environment and the fight against exclusion demand that we recognize a moral law written into human nature itself, one which includes the natural difference between man and woman (cf. Laudato Si’, 155), and absolute respect for life in all its stages and dimensions (cf. ibid., 123, 136).

Francis has made healing divisions a central theme his US trip and has offered encouragement in the most personal terms to bishops and priests.

He cautioned against allowing luxuries and comforts that could blunt the lord’s call.

The simple fact of the matter is that neither the Apostle Peter, Jesus, nor any of the other Apostles ever gave much attention in their teachings to “human institutions”.

As Pope Francis took a drive down Fifth Avenue, many raised their smartphones, trying to capture the moment he looked their way.

Bini prepared for the Pope’s UN speech the evening before by taking part in a prayer vigil at St. Columbus and by walking around the neighbourhood near the United Nations asking people to sign the Global Catholic Climate Change Movement’s petition.

Roy Beck, executive director of NumbersUSA, which seeks to reduce US immigration levels, said the pope’s message can be interpreted in several different ways.

A man shouted: “Francisco!”

Six months ago, Francis abruptly ended a contentious Vatican overhaul of the leading umbrella group for US nuns that had started under his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.