Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Vatican sources: Papal trip to U.N. headquarters unlikely this year

By Catholic News Service
Apr-27-2007

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI accepted an invitation to visit U.N. headquarters in New York City, but Vatican sources said the trip looked unlikely for this year.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters April 26 that during their recent meeting at the Vatican he asked the pope to come "at a mutually convenient time."

"I am very happy that he accepted my invitation to visit," Ban said.

Attention had focused on a possible papal visit in September for the opening of the U.N. General Assembly. Vatican sources said that date now looked improbable, and that no steps were being taken for a U.N. visit this year.

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 1:50 PM