Associated Press
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI hopes his trip to the United States later this month will be seen as a sign of friendship toward all Christian denominations and other religions.
Benedict has asked the faithful to pray for the success of his April 15-20 trip to Washington and New York. He will meet with U.S. President George W. Bush, visit a Manhattan synagogue and address the United Nations.
In a videotaped message to U.S. Catholics, issued in English and Spanish and released Tuesday by the Vatican, Benedict said he will bring to the U.N. Assembly a message of hope: “Hope for peace, for justice, and for freedom.”
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