In the World

UNITED NATIONS

Pope to address annual assembly during U.S. visit

The United Nations has announced that Pope Francis will address the annual U.N. General Assembly of world leaders on Sept. 25 during his first papal visit to the United States.

His visit will include a stop in Philadelphia, where he will take part in the World Meeting's "Festival of Families" Sept. 26 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and celebrate Mass outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art the next morning.

"We are absolutely delighted that the Holy Father will be addressing the U.N.," said Ken Gavin, communications director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. "It adds greatly to his apostolic visit to the United States."

The pope earlier agreed to address a joint meeting of Congress. That Sept. 24 speech will mark the first time the head of the world's Roman Catholics is to address Congress. He is also expected to meet with President Obama.

The U.N. said the pope also would meet with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on his one-day visit to the world body in New York. - AP, Inquirer staff
SWEDEN

At least 2 slain at restaurant

Several people were shot at a restaurant in Goteborg, Sweden's second-largest city, late Wednesday and at least two died, police said. The shooting happened in a neighborhood with a history of gang violence, said police spokeswoman Ulla Brehm. She said it was too early to speculate on a motive but said there were indications the shooting was gang- related. "There is absolutely nothing that indicates terrorism," Brehm said. She said at least two people died at the scene; several were taken to a hospital. - AP
PAKISTAN

Teen killer gets a reprieve

A Pakistani death-row prisoner whose family says he was 14 when he was convicted has been given a reprieve, officials and his lawyers said Wednesday, in a case that has focused attention on Pakistan's sharp increase in executions. Shafqat Hussain was scheduled to be executed early Thursday morning in the port city of Karachi in connection with the 2004 killing of a 7-year-old. His family and lawyers allege his confession was extracted through torture. The reprieve's duration was not clear. - AP