[applause] your holiness, this is the second time that the General Assembly of the United Nations is honored with your presence. Privileged, and being able to welcome your holiness today. Presence, may preserve a mark of distinction on organization on its 50th anniversary. Your holiness, more than any of your predecessors, has traveled to all of the corners of the world in your wish to bring to each of them even the most distant ones your message of peace and understanding, tolerance and justice among men. , more thanhere today an act of celebration of the aited nations, is above all strong sign of encouragement for these organizations. Throughout the 50 years of its existence, the United Nations has come to believe that for the ideals of keys and fraternity to take root deeply among men, they must be based on economic, cultural, and social developments as well as on the primacy of justice. In all of these fields, the United Nations has performed ,ith persistence and dedication and with the best of human abilities. Success and a compliment have not always been achieved, however, this is not surprising, if we take into account are many,es, there and the means, which in many cases are few. Nevertheless, the ideals injured always and give us and endured always and give us the strength to continue. We are facing many criticisms on both the form and performance of our organizations. We should take these criticisms into account, but we must not paralyzem to arteries for the benefit of mankind. While the errors and failures have been many during the 50 years of the life of the United Nations, as always happens in all institutions, many nonetheless have been the victories achieved during that. In each of the areas justice of work, support for children, diffusion of culture, or the guaranteeing of peace, it is not just the United Nations which , it ist its commitments also humanity, which has become , and lovelier because someone, on its behalf, hoping ford thing, nothing in return, as your holiness can well testify. ,ere, sitting in these rooms are the representatives of almost all of the countries of the world, members of very different ethnic and religious groups. Nonetheless, all are united in their respect for your holiness, and also in the attention they words. Ay to your i think this is due to the example that your holiness has given of a complete readiness to go and meet all of those who truly seek to realize the fullness of Human Potential and ,he wealth of human existence spiritual and material. I would like to express a wish that the words your d before this assembly 16 years ago still ring true today. The united hope nations will ever remain the supreme form of peace and , seeking the freedom for peopless and individuals longing for a better future. Thank you. I give the floor now to the secretarygeneral of the United Nations. Thank you. Spirituality is the greatest gift to humanity. All peoples have been touched by believe in a higher reality provides a common bond among nations, but the horrors we witness today deny the values of the spirit. Terrible examples on every continent tell us to deny our spiritual nature is to diminish our humanity. Ls. Is to forget our goa a crisis of the human spirit is taking place. It accounts for many of the major problems of our time. We must make it possible for people to regain that faith. The u. N. Was created as a bond between peoples and nations. The u. N. Is essential if humanity is to build it spiritual foundations. Your holy fathers presence is a reminder of the spiritual dimension of the United Nations. The United Nations was created so that hope could conquer the horror of war. So thatreated compassion compassion that all religions share could conquer the despair of poverty, disease, and injustice. Hope enables us to continue your mission. Face enables us to continue the dialogue to pursue negotiation, even when a situation seems hopeless. Continueles us to development to reach out to the less fortunate of our brothers and sisters. Ii has reflected deeply on the complex issues of our time. His message to the family of nations comes to us with clarity and conviction. His message is the kind of comprehensive vision which today we require. Matters, whether near or far. Everything is interrelated. Done in we do is recognition that our work is inspired by something far greater than ourselves. , distinctes colleagues, and friends, with us felt thesee who has issues at the depth of the soul, and has expressed them in their essence to the world. , he tells us that we can, and we must, conquer fear, if we are to solve the problems of our planet and its people. Serve the people of to United Nations welcome this chamber, his holiness, Pope John Paul ii. [applause] i think the secretarygeneral for his statement. May i now invite his holiness, Pope John Paul ii, to address the General Assembly. Pope john paul ii mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to address this International Assembly and to join the men and women of every country, race, language and culture in celebrating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations organization. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the secretarygeneral dr. Boutros , boutrosghali, for having warmly encouraged this visit. And i thank you, mr. President , for your cordial welcome. I greet all of you, the members of this General Assembly i am grateful for your presence and for your kind attention. Ladies and gentlemen, on the threshold of a new millennium, we are witnessing an extraordinary global acceleration of that quest for freedom which is one of the great dynamics of human history. This phenomenon is not limited to any one part of the world; nor is it the expression of any single culture. Men and women throughout the world, even when threatened by violence, have taken the risk of freedom, asking to be given a place in social, political, and Economic Life which is commensurate with their dignity as free human beings. This universal longing for freedom is truly one of the distinguishing marks of our time. It is important for us to grasp what might be called the inner structure of this worldwide movement. It is precisely its global character which offers us its first and fundamental key and confirms that there are indeed universal human rights, rooted in the nature of the person, rights which reflect the objective and inviolable demands of a universal moral law. These are not abstract points; rather, these rights tell us something important about the actual life of every individual and of every social group. They also remind us that we do not live in an irrational or meaningless world. On the contrary, there is a moral logic which is built into human life and which makes possible dialogue between individuals and peoples. If we want a century of violent coercion to be succeeded by a century of persuasion, we must find a way to discuss the human future intelligibly. The universal moral law written on the human heart is precisely that kind of grammar which is needed if the world is to engage this discussion of its future. The moral dynamics of this quest for freedom clearly appeared in central and Eastern Europe during the nonviolent revolutions of 1989. Unfolding in specific times and places, those historical events nonetheless taught a lesson which goes far beyond a specific geographical location. For the nonviolent revolutions of 1989 demonstrated that the quest for freedom cannot be suppressed. It arises from a recognition of the inestimable dignity and value of the human person, and it cannot fail to be accompanied by a commitment on behalf of the human person. Modern totalitarianism has been, first and foremost, an assault on the dignity of the person, an assault which has gone even to the point of denying the inalienable value of the individuals life. The revolutions of 1989 were made possible by the commitment of brave men and Women Inspired by a different, and ultimately more profound and powerful, vision. The vision of man as a creature of intelligence and free will, immersed in a mystery which transcends his own being and endowed with the ability to reflect and the ability to choose and thus capable of wisdom and virtue. A decisive factor in the success of those nonviolent revolutions was the experience of social solidarity. In the face of regimes backed by the power of propaganda and terror, that solidarity was the moral core of the power of the powerless, a beacon of hope and an enduring reminder that it is possible for mans historical journey to follow a path which is true to the finest aspirations of the human spirit. The quest for freedom in the second half of the Twentieth Century has engaged not only individuals but nations as well. Fifty years after the end of the second world war, it is important to remember that that war was fought because of violations of the rights of nations. Many of those nations suffered even after they, end of the second world war, the rights of nations continued to be violated. To take but one set of examples, the Baltic States and extensive territories in ukraine and belarus were absorbed into the soviet union, as had already happened to armenia, azerbaijan, and georgia in the caucasus. At the same time the socalled peoples democracies of central and Eastern Europe effectively lost their sovereignty and were required to submit to the will dominating the entire bloc. The result of this Artificial Division of europe was the cold war, a situation of International Tension in which the threat of a Nuclear Holocaust hung over humanity. It was only when freedom was restored to the nations of central and Eastern Europe that the promise of the peace which should have come with the end of the war began to be realized for many of the victims of that conflict. The universal declaration of human rights, adopted in 1948, spoke eloquently of the rights of persons; but no Similar International agreement has yet adequately addressed the rights of nations. This situation must be carefully pondered, for it raises urgent questions about justice and freedom in the world today. Thee consider defining , such a of a nation made must nonetheless be if we wish to avoid the heirs of the past and ensure it just world order. Presupposition of a nations therefore, no one made of a nation, or international organization, has anr justified that wealthyal nation is not worthy of existence. This fundamental right to existence does not necessarily call for sovereignty as a state, what i would call spiritual sovereignty. Circumstances, such as those that occurred in the. And where i was born the culture enables a nation to survive the loss of political and economic independence. Every nation therefore has also the right to shape its life according to its own traditions, excluding, of course, every abuse of basic human rights and in particular the oppression of minorities. Every nation has the right to build its future by providing an appropriate education for the younger generation. [translated] during my pilgrimages over the last 17 years, i have been able to dialogue with the richest of the nations and cultures in every world. The of world has yet to learn diversity, as recent events in Central Africa have reminded us. The reality of the other can sometimes be felt as a burden, or even as a threat. Amplified by historic grievances and exacerbated by the manipulations of the unscrupulous, the fear of difference can lead to a denial of the very humanity of the other with the result that , people fall into a cycle of violence in which no one is spared, not even the children. We are all very familiar today with such situations; at this moment my heart and my prayers turn in a special way to the sufferings of the sorely tried peoples of bosniahercegovina. From bitter experience, then, we know that the fear of difference, especially when it expresses itself in a narrow and exclusive nationalism which denies any rights to the other can lead to a true nightmare of violence and terror. And yet if we make the effort to look at matters objectively, we can see that, transcending all the differences which distinguish individuals and peoples, there is a fundamental commonality. For different cultures are but different ways of facing the question of the meaning of personal existence. And it is precisely here that we find one source of the respect which is due to every culture and every nation. Every culture is an effort to ponder the mystery of the world and in particular of the human person. It is a way of giving expression to the transcendent dimension of human life. The heart of every culture is its approach to the greatest of the mystery of god. Our respect for the culture of others is therefore rooted in our respect for each communitys attempt to answer the question of human life. And here we can see how important it is to safeguard the fundamental right to freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, as the cornerstones of the structure of human rights and the foundation of every truly free society. No one is permitted to suppress those rights by using coercive power to impose an answer to the mystery of man. We must fortify the difference between a form of nationalism which teaches contempt for other , nations or cultures, and patriotism, which is a proper love of ones country. True patriotism never seeks to advance the wellbeing of ones own nation at the expense of others. For in the end this would harm to the aggressor and victims. In its most radical does the antithesis of true patriotism. Inshore that its to give rise to new forms to the operations of totalitarianism. Ladies and gentlemen, freedom is the measure of mans dignity and greatness. It is a great challenge to mans spiritual growth and vitality of nations. In both personal and social the moral within thef freedom inner architecture of the culture of freedom. Is not simply the absence appeared t, nor is freedom a license to do whatever we like, freedom has an inner logic which distinguishes it and enables it. Gets us to the truth. Detached from the truth about the human person. It becomes the most powerful in the absence of power. Reference to the truth universally known written in the , the guarantor freedoms future. In the light of what has been definesve been morality in terms of what is advantageous. Is i construct the true culture of freedom. Totalitarianism has great political consequences. To theod Thing National interest. Totalitarianism guys more powerful countries to manipulate drives moreianism powerful countries to manipulate. For the emerging countries, the achievement of political frequentlye is too is accompanied by a situation of destructive of other countries. Creates a challenge to the human family. Ladies and gentlemen, the international and economic scene , Economic Growth toa just distribution , the international the charterlled for forhe United NationsInternational Problems of an , humanitarianural character cannot be conceived exclusively in terms of help and assistance. By considering on the resources provided. When millions of people are poverty which a means hunger, malnutrition, sickness, illiteracy and , we must not only remind ourselves that no one has the right to exploit another for his own advantage, but also, and above all, we must recommit to that solidarity which enables others to live out and impact others of their , and ac, political lives true source of the wealth of nations in todays world. As we face these enormous the United Nations ananization needs to provide Administrative Institution to that allmoral center nations of the world seem atoned and have a shared awareness of being as it were, a family of nations. Needs toof family a mereomething more than convergence of interests. The family is by nature a trust,ty based on mutual on mutual support, and sincere respect. Family, thetic strong do not dominate, instead, weak are all the more welcomed and served. Raised to the level of the it is thenations, y fabric between relations very fabric of relations between people. Not only by surveying the center of affective in mediation and and create initiatives for solidarity. It is capable of raising the relations of nations from the organictional to a more from simply existing with others to existing for others. Primarily for the weaker greater but even so, good for everyone. Appear this should unattainable. Hope, the time for new which calls us to expel the of the futureden of politics and of human life. The anniversary which we are celebrating invites us to do ideaby reminding us of the of United Nations. Evokes mutual trust, community, and solidarity. For all of those that taken the not of freedom, can we recommit ourselves to taking the risk of solidarity . Thus, the risk of peace . It is one of the great paradoxes will begin that man period of the coming of age and autonomy. Fearful of himself. Fearful of what he might be capable of. Fearful for the future. Indeed, the second half of the 20th century has seen the unprecedented phenomenon humanity uncertain about the likelihood of the future. Given the threat of nuclear war. That danger mercifully appears everythingeded and needs to be rejected firmly and universally. Future andar for the off the future remains. The future remains. An authentic culture of freedom, men and women must turn to conquer fear. Not to be afraid. Rediscover a spirit of hope and a spirit of trust. Optimism springing from a naive confidence. The future must be better than the past. Premise trust are the and isible nurtured in the sanctuary of confidence where man roams with god. He is not alone amidst the enigmas. He is surrounded by the love of the creator. Trust, these may seem the unitedyond nations. But they are not. Nations withof which your organization is ignore thenever spiritual,ce, dimensional, of the human experience. Without harming the cause of man and because of human freedom. In orderensions to recover, our hope at the end of the century of source toos, we must regain sight watch the soul of man aspires. Because are centered we trust our center on jesus christ. We christians believe that in it death and resurrection, was hopefully revealed that it was gods love. God made man, made a part of the history of humanity. Christian hopes for all the. Orld and its future nothing fails to touch the hearts of christians. Therefore, as we approach the 2000 anniversary of the birth of the church respectably , theses this message solidarity of the entire human family. We must overcome our fear of the future. Able toill not be overcome it completely unless we do so together. The answer to that fear is neither coercion nor repression of the modelition of the entire world. The fear darkens human existence at the end of the 20th century. Filledcommon effort, with the civilization of love founded on the universal values of peace, solidarity, justice, and liberty. And the soul is the culture of freedom. The freedom of individuals and the freedom of nations. It gives solidarity and responsibility. We must not be afraid of the future. We must not be afraid of man. It is no accident that we are here. Person hasery human been created in the image and likeness of the one who is the origin of all that is. We have within us the capacities of wisdom and virtue. Gifts, and with the help of gods grace, well build in the next century, and the next millennium, a civilization worthy of the human person, a true culture of freedom. We can and must do so. Seein doing so, we shall the tears of this century have prepared the ground for a new springtime of the human spirit. [applause] inhould say a small greeting chinese. [foreign language] the prosperity of the human family [applause] speaking in chinese] pope i hope for all People Freedom and peace. That the entire world can live with freedom, dignity unity and a truly achieved peace. Thank you. [applause] on behalf of the General Assembly, i wish to express my host johnciation to his inspiring session. The meeting will stand adjourned. [applause] the popes visit to the United States continues as he travels from new york to philadelphia. Live coverage starts at 4 30 p. M. at 7 30 p. M. , the pontiff attends the assembly of families. Sunday evening as harvard professor and president ial candidate Lawrence Lessig talks about his decision talks about possibly running for president. Fox news goes bill oreilly speaks with of canon on his latest book killing reagan. On sunday afternoon at 1 00, hasek and investor, doug sits down at freedom fest in las vegas to discuss his latest book on politics and economics. On American History tv starting at 7 00 eastern, we are live from Gettysburg College to mark the 125th anniversary of president dwight d. Eisenhowers birth. Sunday afternoon at 4 00 on real america, and archival film documenting the 1953 visit of the king and clean up afghanistan to the United States, which included a meeting with president kennedy and a parade through washington dc. Get our complete weekend. Chedule at www. Cspan. Org our history series had to have relevance. Allries on the court made of the sense in the world. Accord is an equal branch of government. It is the third branch of government. It still has fundamental impact on the american flag. Work cases are heard and decisions are made that impact our lives. There are incredibly interesting cases. We have heard of brown versus board of education. Aboute want to do is talk not only the legal side of the cases, but the people involved in the cases. They are human beings. Think what people will find most fascinating about the cases are the personal stories. One my personal favorites is mad versus ohio and the story when people hear the personal story of this woman and the situation, they will fall in love with these cases and will feel impacted about what happens in the court and why they matter and why you should care. Cases was ane 12 arduous task, but a fun task, we learned a lot. Is involving understanding the rights in america. Really learn about the history of the country and evolving rights of america. Cooperation with the National Constitution center delving into Supreme Court cases that significantly influence our evolvingstory and are understanding of rights in this country. Beginning october 5 on cspan and cspan3. As a companion to our new series , a book features the 12 cases series. Ted for the by tony mauro. Cases is available for a dollars . 95 plus shipping and handling