Pope Benedict's Visit To New York Is Set For Next Spring

Pope Benedict XVI will visit New York this coming spring, where he will address the United Nations, the archdiocese has confirmed.

Cardinal Egan spoke with the pope about the visit earlier this month in Rome, telling him that "all of the people of God of the archdiocese will be praying over the months that lie ahead that his apostolic visit will be crowned with every grace and blessing."

In a statement announcing the visit, archdiocesan communications director Joseph Zwilling said that "the clergy, religious, and laity of the Archdiocese of New York are delighted with the news."

It will be the first papal visit to New York since 1995, when Pope John Paul II addressed the United Nations and celebrated Mass in Central Park.

Pope John Paul had previously visited New York in 1979; Pope Paul VI visited in 1965.

Pope Benedict has made previous trips to New York, but not since he was elected pope. In 1988, when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he attended a scholarly conference at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, and gave a lecture at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Manhattan.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters July 16 in Lorenzago di Cadore, Italy, where the pope is vacationing, that the pope is looking forward to several upcoming trips. In addition to a Sept. 1-2 trip to Loreto, Italy, for an Italian youth gathering and an Oct. 21 trip to Naples, the pope will travel to Austria Sept. 7-9.

Father Lombardi did not give any dates for the United Nations trip.

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