Pope Benedict XVI has accepted an invitation from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to visit the UN headquarters in New York.
Fr Lombardi, from the Vatican's press office said on Friday: "The Pope has accepted the invitation in general terms, and has expressed his willingness to visit the UN headquarters, although as yet there is no date or programme for the trip."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon extended the invitation to the Pope during an audience in the Vatican on 18 April.
Pope Benedict's predecessor John Paul II visited the UN twice during his pontificate: in 1979 and in 1995, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the UN.
Pope Paul VI became the first pope to speak at the UN in 1965.
-
Taxing faith: The Court of Appeal’s VAT Judgment and the future of Christian education
-
The state of Christianity and the medieval Church in England before the Reformation
-
The Gorton and Denton by-election and the alarming rise of sectarianism in British politics
-
Assisted suicide falters in Westminster but receives final approval in Jersey
News
-
Investigation launched into fire at west London church
-
Police officer praised for defending right to preach in Muslim area
-
Amid calls to 'make Britain Christian again', here are some questions for the Church
-
The battle for Christian freedom of expression on the streets of London is far from over
-
Who was Matthias and why is he called the thirteenth apostle?
-
Met commends officer who defended Christian street preacher's free speech against Muslim criticism
Most Popular
related articles
Pope Slams EU for Excluding God
Pope Slams EU for Excluding God
Pope Condemns Iraq "Slaughter" During Easter Address
Pope Condemns Iraq "Slaughter" During Easter Address
Pope Thanks God on 80th Birthday
Pope Thanks God on 80th Birthday
Murphy-O'Connor Offers Pope Prayers and Good Wishes on 80th Birthday
Murphy-O'Connor Offers Pope Prayers and Good Wishes on 80th Birthday
News
What a recent doctor's visit taught me about modern Britain
Attention is one of the purest forms of love but so many people are going unnoticed, writes J John.
The state of Christianity and the medieval Church in England before the Reformation
As with much late-medieval faith, things were complex and there clearly was a hunger for a relationship with Christ, even if sometimes expressed in ways that would be rejected by later Reformers.
Former Sri Lankan intelligence chief arrested over Easter bombings that killed 279
The 2019 bombings were the worst Islamist terror attack in Sri Lanka's modern history.
Nigeria rejects claims it paid ransom and released Islamists to secure kidnapped children
A report by AFP includes claims that Nigeria paid as much as $7 million and released two Boko Haram commanders in exchange for the release of children and staff kidnapped from a Catholic school.