Pope Benedict officially invited to New York and UN

CWNews puts it briefly:

Pope Benedict XVI met on April 18 with Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General of the UN, who invited him to visit the New York headquarters of the international body.

In a brief statement about the Wednesday-evening meeting, the Vatican said that the 20-minute conversation had focused on cooperation between the Church and the UN. The Vatican statement acknowledged the UN official's invitation for a papal visit to headquarters in New York, but did not indicate the Pontiff's response.

Ban Ki-moon, a South Korean diplomat who succeeded Kofi Annan in January 2007 as Secretary General, was meeting with the Pope for the first time. He was accompanied by his wife.

CNA adds more.

Papa Benny looked very happy throughout the meeting so perhaps it went well:

Or maybe the birthday boy is just in a good mood.

Either way, if he's happy, we're happy.

[photo: REUTERS/Ettore Ferrari/Pool (VATICAN)]