Pope hopes to visit New York in 2008, also planning to visit Lourdes

LORENZAGO DI CADORE, Italy (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI hopes to visit New York and Lourdes, France, in 2008, and also plans to deliver an important speech to diplomats during his upcoming trip to Vienna, the Vatican spokesman said Sunday.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi did not specify what the speech would cover during the pope's Sept. 7-9 trip to Austria. Lombardi said Benedict would deliver an "internationally important'' speech to diplomats accredited to Vienna-based international organizations.

He said early plans are under way for a papal trip to the shrine at Lourdes, to mark the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Madonna.

"We also hope to go to the United Nations,'' Lombardi said.

Lombardi spoke on Italian state television as Benedict emerged from his monastic-like vacation to bless the faithful at his secluded mountain retreat in Italy's Dolomite mountains.

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