An invitation to find "the direction and strength required to perform the urgent tasks" to be faced "over the next few months", including the application of the Millennium Development Objectives, the Nepad programme and "other measures to make sure the whole human family shares the benefits of globalisation". It was sent today to the UN members and executives by the Pope in a message sent yesterday but published today by the Vatican newsroom in the run-up to the prayer meeting that will be held on the opening of the LXIII session of the UN general assembly. Recalling "with gratitude", his visit to the United Nations last April on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights, Benedict XVI renews his appeal to the international leaders to "re-appropriate the noble moral vision and the transcending principles of justice, principles that are shared by the United Nations". The Pope wishes such "moments of reflection and prayer" may strengthen the UN commitment "to defend the dignity of every human being and build a world with more solidarity, freedom and peace".
