At U.N., Pope Turns to Global Audience

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Pope Benedict Addresses the United Nations

Pope Benedict XVI told diplomats at the United Nations Friday that respect for human rights is the key to solving many of the world's problems.

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Heraldo Munoz, Chile's U.N. ambassador whose government resisted U.S. pressure to back the invasion of Iraq, said the pope "was reaffirming diplomacy. Perhaps it was an indirect message that one should use diplomacy before recourse to force. I don't want to say to whom it was aimed."

Alluding, during his remarks to such breakthroughs as cloning and genetic engineering, Benedict raised questions about scientific and technological advances, noting both their benefits and what he sees as the perils of progress.

"Notwithstanding the enormous benefits humanity can gain, some instances of this represents a clear violation of the order of creation, to the point where not only is the sacred character of life contradicted, but the human person and the family are robbed of their natural identity," he said.

Efforts to protect the environment should not only be carried out by limiting the use of science and technology to "rational" ways, but also for another reason, he said: "to rediscover the authentic image of creation. This never requires a choice to be made between science and ethics; rather it is a question of adapting a scientific method that is truly respectful of ethical imperatives."

Benedict, a former theology professor, is known for his dense, theological speeches and writings, although some Vatican watchers said ahead of the trip that he may also not want to be too specific so as to not water down his main point: concern about secularism.

He said globalization and advances in communications technology can make humans feel they are closer to one another but in fact become too individualistic -- another peril of secularism.

The pope held a separate meeting with the U.N. Security Council president, Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo of South Africa.

"He just wanted to know how we are dealing with different issues, especially in Africa, said Kumalo, who discussed crises in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Somalia. "I was very impressed about his deep knowledge of African issues. He was very concerned about the situation in Somalia," where a worsening security situation has prompted calls for a U.N. peacekeeping force.

Vatican officials have said Benedict's six-day trip to the United States -- his first as pope -- was largely motivated by his desire to address the United Nations, a speech seen as a chance to address the world, not primarily the United States.

Vanu Gopala Menon, Singapore's U.N. ambassador, said it is too early to say what kind of "long-lasting impact" the pope's speech would have. But he added that he believed it would like prod "further discussion" on the duty of states to intervene to halt mass violence and humanitarian crises. "It was quite clear everyone was there to listen intently to hear what the pope said."