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."
During his visit, Benedict will also address the presidents of Roman Catholic colleges and universities and celebrate Masses at Nationals Park and Yankee Stadium.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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How can the pope's visit be beneficial to Christians? Christians place their total trust in Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit to teach them all things. Roman Catholics trust that other RCs such as the Magisterium have all the answers and so trust human beings for their salvation.