Papal Visit

Pope's Day 1 In NYC Ends At Synagogue, UES Church

Becomes Third Pontiff To Address United Nations In Speech Focusing On Preservation Of Human Rights

Makes Historic Visit To Jewish House Of Worship At Park East Synagogue

Ends Day At St. Joseph's Church On UES

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Pope Benedict XVI's day 1 in New York City concluded on Friday, but not before making a bit of history along the way. His late-afternoon stop at Park East Synagogue, a modern Orthodox congregation, was mostly a symbolic gesture, but the quick visit before Passover signaled the increasingly warm relations between Catholicism and Judaism. His visit came at the end of a busy yet successfull day in the Big Apple. It is the first time a pope has visited a Jewish house of worship while visiting in the United States.

The pope arrived in New York City on Friday morning, receiving a hero's welcome on a red carpet at John F. Kennedy Airport. He was then quickly transported to the United Nations, where he delivered a speech to the General Assembly that strongly stressed the preservation of human rights across the globe.

At JFK, the pontiff emerged from "Shepherd One" at 9:40, waving to the overjoyed crowd, before being greeted by Edward Cardinal Egan and many other high clergy. Gov. David Paterson and Mayor Michael Bloomberg also welcomed the pope as he made his way down the red carpet.

Following the small ceremony at the airport, Benedict was flown by helicopter to the Wall Street Heliport, where he was taken by motorcade to the United Nations, arriving around 10:20. After meeting with Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and taking part in several photo shoots, he delivered his speech to an anxious audience, the fourth time a pope has addressed the U.N.

In his speech, the pope touched on a number of topics, especially the safeguarding of human rights and the development of weaker countries.

"I am thinking especially of those countries in Africa and other parts of the world which remain on the margins of authentic integral development, and are therefore at risk of experiencing only the negative effects of globalization," he said.

He pushed the importance of first-world nations aiding those third-world countries that are overpowered by poverty and struggling with development, warning that ignoring diplomacy would "do the real damage."

"Every state has the primary duty to protect its own population from grave and sustained violations of human rights, as well as from the consequences of humanitarian crises, whether natural or man-made," he said. "If states are unable to guarantee such protection, the international community must intervene with the juridical means provided in the United Nations Charter and in other international instruments."

The pope also turned his attention to the separation of church and science. He praised the expansion of technology, but cautioned against allowing science to dictate humanity.

"Notwithstanding the enormous benefits that humanity can gain, some instances of this represent 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.

He added that finding a happy medium between religion and science was a question of "adopting a scientific method that is truly respectful of ethical imperatives."

Benedict's New York visit also include a visit to a synagogue. History was made when he stepped inside the Park East Synagogue – it was the first time a pope visited a synagogue in the U.S.

The pope's last scheduled event Friday is a meeting with leaders from various Christian denominations at the Church of Saint Joseph in Yorkville.

For many New Yorkers though, the most important aspect of the pope's visit will be figuring out how to get around town.

"Friday is gonna be a good Friday for New Yorkers, but it's gonna be a terrible Friday for drivers," former NYC Transportation Commissioner San Schwartz said.

Before and after the pope's visit to the U.N., nearby streets will be frozen. First Avenue from 42nd St. to 48th St. will be closed until 3 p.m.

East 72nd Street. will be closed from Madison Avenue to Fifth Avenue until 11:30 pm Sunday. East 67th Street and East 68th Street will be closed between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue until 8pm, as well as 87th Street from First Avenue to York Avenue. Even ferry service on the East River is going to feel it:

"The East Side will be completely bolloxed up so we have to move the traffic over to the West Side," Schwartz said. "Therefore, don't even drive into Manhattan. Don't even think of driving into Manhattan."

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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