Pope Francis Addresses UN General Assembly: Highlights

New Delhi: Pope Francis today addressed the world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly. He made a strong pitch for the conservation of the environment and said "no man has the right to abuse it". It is for the first time that a Pope has spoken at the global summit.

Here are the highlights of his much awaited speech:

• In my own name and that of the entire catholic community I express my heartfelt gratitude.
• I greet heads of state and governments, ambassadors and diplomats accompanying them.
• This is the fifth time that a pope has visited the United Nations.
• The history of the organised community of the states represented by the UN is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
• All these achievements are lights which help to dispel the darkness of the disorder by unrestrained ambitions and collective forms of selfishness.
• The experience of the last 70 years teaches that reform is necessary in the pursuit of the ultimate goal of granting all countries without exception a genuine equitable share in decision making process.
• Reform of the UN Security Council and financial agencies will help to limit every kind of abuse where developing countries are considered.
• The work of the UN set forth in its founding charter can be seen as the promotion of the rule of law based on the idea that justice is essential for universal peace.
• We need a concrete way of limiting power.
• The world has so many examples of power that is badly exercised.
• We believe that universe is product of a loving creation.
• Man is not authorised to abuse to much less destroy it.
• Economic and social exclusion is a denial of humanity and grave offence.
• Poorest are those who suffer from such offences.
• They are cast off and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment.
• "Culture of waste" must be condemned and there should be greater emphasis on sustainable development.
• The large-scale destruction of biodiversity, can threaten the very existence of the human species.
• Idea of saving generations from the scourge of war and promoting social progress risks becoming an unattainable illusion.