Pope to address UN, visit Ground Zero

(ANSA) - New York, September 25 - Pope Francis will address the United Nations and visit Ground Zero in New York on Friday after his historic address to the United States Congress in Washington DC on Thursday, when he called on American lawmakers to abolish the death penalty and stop the arms trade.
    "Every life is sacred, every human being is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those who have been condemned for crimes," Francis said in the first papal address to the US Congress. The Argentine pontiff Francis said the global arms trade should be stopped. "Why are lethal weapons sold to those who plan to inflict unspeakable suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply money: money that is soaked in blood, often innocent blood," he said.
    Francis also made a pled for the cause of refugees.
    "The world is facing a refugee crisis not seen since the Second World War". Their numbers must not frighten us, he said. "Rather we must see them as people, look into their faces, listen to their stories, try to respond to their situation as best we can," said the pope. "We must respond in a humane, just and brotherly way. Let us remember the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
    After arriving in New York on Thursday, the pope will address the opening of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly at 9:20 local time (15:20 in Italy). He will then meet UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Russian presidency of the Security Council. At 11:30 local time (17:30 in Italy) Francis will pay homage to the victims of fundamentalist terrorism with a multi-religious service at the September 11 memorial at Ground Zero. Later on Friday he will visit the Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden.
    On Saturday the pope will go to Philadelphia ahead of Sunday's World Meeting of Families.