Pope Hopes To Visit New York In 2008

According to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI is planning trips to New York and Lourdes, France, next year.

A Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed that plans were being drawn up for a papal trip to the shrine at Lourdes, to mark the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Madonna.

Speaking on Italian state television as Benedict finished his vacation to bless the faithful at his secluded mountain retreat in Italy's Dolomite mountains, Lombardi told reporters that "We also hope to go to the United Nations."