United Nations General Assembly

On Friday morning, September 25, 2015, Pope Francis addressed the United Nations General Assembly. UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, accompanied His Holiness.

Special highlights included:

• Pope Francis called on us to ensure everyone has the right to basic necessities in life, "Economic and social exclusion is a complete denial of human fraternity and a grave offense against human rights and the environment. The poorest are those who suffer the most."

• Pope Francis told UN leaders that everyone has a right to a dignified life, "...political and economic activity is only effective when it is understood as a prudential activity, guided by a perennial concept of justice..."

• The Pope stressed that wise action is needed now to protect God's creation and address climate change, "Among other things, human genius, well applied, will surely help to meet the grave challenges of ecological deterioration and of exclusion."

• Pope Francis stressed the importance that all should have the right to go to school, "This presupposes and requires the right to education–also for girls who excluded in certain places"

• "People come first, human life is sacred," Pope Francis insists.

• Pope Francis closed with: "If any of you are not believers, I ask you to wish me well."

• Speeches can be found here:
  • Meeting With The Personnel of the UN
  • Meeting with the Members of the General Assembly of the UN