A sneak preview
By Catholic News Service
April 8, 2008
What's he going to talk about? Everyone has their own idea about what Pope Benedict XVI will discuss during his first papal visit to the United States. So, to make it easy and eliminate the guesswork, His Holiness has given us all a little glimpse of what's in store.
In a statement released at the Vatican April 8, Pope Benedict promised to offer a "fraternal gesture toward every ecclesial community and a sign of friendship for members of other religious traditions and all men and women of good will." In other words, he wants to express Christian hope and joy in God's promise to all.
No talk of any scolding in these words. Yet the Pope will be addressing the United Nations General Assembly on the 60th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, so it wouldn't be out of line if his message of Christian hope underlined its importance as a foundation for all legitimate human rights.