Pope Francis asserts sacredness of life at UN

Pope Francis demanded respect for the sacredness of all life, in a reference to abortion. His comments are sure to please conservatives who have complained that he doesn't speak out enough against abortion.

Francis made the comments at the United Nations on Friday. The Vatican has long objected to U.N. calls for access to contraception and abortion for women.

In a speech to the General Assembly, Francis offered conservatives a lot to cheer: He called for a respect for all life and called for recognition of what he called the "natural difference between man and woman" - a reference to the Vatican's opposition to gender theory.

He denounced what he called "ideological colonization" of the developing world - a reference to how ideas about contraception and gay rights are often imposed on poor nations as a condition for development aid.

But Pope Francis also asserted at the U.N. that the world's poor have a right to education, lodging, labor and land.

In a speech before more than 100 world leaders and diplomats on Friday, Francis is demanding that the poor have immediate access to food and water, work and housing as well as religious freedom.

He also declared that there is a "right of the environment" and that humankind has no authority to abuse or destroy it.

Hoping to spur concrete action at upcoming climate change negotiations in Paris, Francis accused the world's powerful countries of a "selfish and boundless thirst" for money. He says that has led them to destroy the planet and impoverish the weak and disadvantaged.

Francis is speaking to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday during his first full day in New York. It's part of a three-city trip to the U.S.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Pope Francis has made papal history by addressing the largest array of world leaders ever at the U.N.

The U.N. chief thanked the pope for demonstrating again his "remarkable global stature as a man of faith for all faiths."

The gathering is bringing a record 154 heads of state or government to the U.N.

World leaders and diplomats filled the General Assembly chamber to hear the pope address representatives from its 193-member nations. Joining them were Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousefzai, the Pakistani education campaigner.

Ban spoke just before the pope. He said the pope's message on climate change is critical as the world's nations approach a pivotal conference to address climate change in Paris in December.

While others are at home in palaces with the famous, the secretary-general said the pope is at home among the poor and forgotten and with young people in selfies.

Pope Francis met with the incoming and outgoing presidents of the United Nations General Assembly ahead of his speech to the world body.

Francis' first meeting was with outgoing president Sam Kutesa, who is foreign minister of Uganda. He handed the baton earlier this month to Mogens Lykketoft, a former speaker of Denmark's Parliament.

The president of the General Assembly presides over the 193-member body. The position rotates annually by region, and presidents are chosen by regional groups.