Your Excellency Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archbishop of Miami,
Your Excellency Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly,
Your Excellency Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations,
The Most Reverend John O’Hara, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York,
The Reverend Gerald Murray, Pastor Church of Holy Family,

It is always a special pleasure to attend this annual event.

This year, it has even deeper meaning.  It is my last as Secretary-General. 

For me, coming to this service is like coming to a well. 

I fill my bucket with inspiration.  I draw from deep springs of solidarity.  I gather strength from the uniting of faith traditions for the common good.

The opening of the General Assembly is itself a profound act of faith:  faith in humanity – faith in our shared future – faith in our conviction that together, we are stronger.

I know that faith is being tested today.

Never have we been so able to reach out and engage with the world. 

At the same time, never in my years as Secretary-General have I seen such potent forces rising up in societies urging people to retreat.  Preying on insecurity.  Promoting division.  Profiting from fear.

Turn inward, they tell us.  Build barriers.  It is our way or no way.

I think perhaps the biggest war being waged today does not involve guns or fighter jets.

The biggest confrontation is the battle for hearts and minds. 

The battle among those who see the world as “us and them” – and those who see humanity, in the words of the UN Charter, as “we the peoples”.

This evening, we are here for we the peoples.

I know we are living in world of peril and challenge.

And yet, I have hope.  Abiding hope.  Undying hope.

That hope – that faith -- has been affirmed again and again over my last decade as Secretary-General.

Since we gathered here last year, world leaders have taken two very important decisions that strengthen our faith in humanity.

First, last September, 193 world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

They said we can build a world free of poverty. 

We can have a world with gender equality and where all children are enrolled in quality schools.

We can have a healthy planet and a future where we leave no one behind.

The second action came in December, with the adoption of the Paris Climate Agreement. 

Just last week I was in China where President Xi Jinping and President Barack Obama deposited their official instruments of ratification.  We must continue to build on that strong momentum.

We are the first generation that can end poverty. 

We are the last generation that can tackle climate change before it is too late. 

I often say that these goals are not the goals of the UN.  They are not solely goals for Presidents and Prime Ministers. 

They are goals to be implemented and owned by people – by civil society – by the private sector – by people of faith. 

Everyone has something to give and to gain. 

We are living on a small planet.  We are interconnected.  We need to be global citizens with a global vision. 

So, let us pray for we the peoples.

Let us draw from all that you represent here this evening -- this great well of faith and hope.

Let us motivate each other.  Let us inspire each other. 

Let us recognize that we are one global family.  And let us build a better world.

Thank you.