The Pope calls for world unity

JANET CAWLEY reports on John Paul II's speech at the UN

Pope John Paul II, in a speech that looked to the future but avoided the divisive issues of today, appealed to the countries of the world to unite as a family and create a new civilization. "We shall see that the tears of this century have prepared the ground for a new springtime of the human spirit," he told the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

Now 75, and appearing increasingly frail after a series of serious medical problems, the Pontiff repeatedly focused on the millennium in his 40-minute address to the UN General Assembly. He has often stressed that he is determined to lead his church and the world's nearly 1 billion Catholics into the next century. The Pope's left hand trembled as he spoke, but his voice was strong and he stood at a green marble podium for the duration of his speech.

Outside the glass-and-steel skyscraper by the East River, about 200 people waited behind blue police barricades in a driving rain to watch the Pontiff arrive and leave in a silver limousine.

Poland-born Barbara Kierznikowicz, 37, who waved a droopy red and white Polish flag as the rain plastered her hair to her face, said it was important for her to be there because of their shared nationality. But like many Catholics in this country, she also had her differences with the Pope's teachings. The spread of AIDS has made her disagree with his position on contraception. "I think this is a mistake," she said.

The speech to the UN was the first major event on the Pope's four-day visit to New York, New Jersey and Maryland -- his fourth trip to the U.S., and his 68th trip abroad in the 17 years of his papacy.

After an afternoon of rest at a Vatican-owned town house on New York's Upper East Side, the Pope went by motorcade to Giants Stadium, across the Hudson River in New Jersey.

More than 83,000 faithful -- the largest crowd in Giants Stadium history -- gathered to greet him, doing the Wave despite heavy rain and thunder. On his arrival, the Pope toured the stadium in his shiny white, bulletproof Popemobile, waving to the crowds and blessing them with the sign of the cross as he passed. He then celebrated the first of four masses on his schedule.

His chair was specially made for the occasion with a red velvet seat elevated by six inches so he could rise and sit without aggravating a hip replaced in surgery last year.

In his speech at the UN -- delivered in seven languages -- the Pope mentioned the Balkans and the war in Bosnia only in passing. But as he spoke, President Clinton in Washington announced a tentative cease-fire in the crisis area to begin Tuesday as well as initial peace talks in the U.S. scheduled for Oct. 25; an international peace conference in Paris will follow.

Shortly after his arrival at Newark Airport Wednesday night, the Pope met with the President; a joint statement later said they discussed ways to establish a negotiated settlement in Bosnia.

The Pope's UN speech was notable for his careful avoidance of any of the issues -- abortion, birth control and ordination of women -- that have led to a philosophical split with many American Catholics. Instead, he spoke in soaring language of the family of nations and how individuals -- and individual countries -- must learn to live with diversity.

He also urged the UN, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, to raise relations among nations from an organizational level to something more organic, "from a simple existence with others to an existence for others.... Now is the time for new hope," he said, stressing a recurring theme. "We must not be afraid of the future. We must not be afraid of man."

Shortly after entering the UN, the Pope was greeted by a children's choir singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth."  He said he was reminded of St. Augustine, who often spoke of children singing. The youngsters stared back blankly. The Pope laughed at his choice of saintly references.

The Pope's response. (47k au file)