Pope Urges UN to Respect Life, the Environment

As part of a whirlwind tour of New York City, Pope Francis paid a visit to ground zero, where he noted the grief of lives lost during 9/11 is still "palpable."

The pontiff's words came after a brief pause before the pool marking the place where the World Trade Center's south tower once stood.

"The water we see flowing toward that empty pit reminds us of all those lives which fell prey to those who think that destruction, tearing down, is the only way to settle conflicts," he said, speaking at an interfaith service.

Even so, he paid homage to first responders, saying "This place of death became a place of life, too -- a place of saved lives, a hymn to the triumph of life over the prophets of destruction and death, to goodness over evil, to reconciliation and unity over hatred and division."

What has been the evangelical response to Pope Francis’s visit? **Click play to watch Father Frank Pavone, with Priests for Life, talk about the Pope’s time in America.

Earlier Friday, Francis spoke before the the the U.N. General Assembly, addressing issues such as caring for the environment and respecting the sacredness of all life.

He also touched on the hot button topic of gender identity, noting the "natural difference between man and woman."

The Catholic Church has been firm in its stance against "gender theory" and the notion that people can choose their sex.

The pope's New York visit follows an historic day in Washington, where his address to Congress still has both sides of the aisle singing his praises.

"Whatever your political stripe, whatever party or country you're from, he spoke to all of us," Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., said.

The pope addressed one his largest crowds on Capitol Hill, where more than 50,000 people watched him speak on jumbo-trons -- the first time a pope has ever addressed Congress.

"Congress...America maybe took a breath for a moment, a pause, and reflected on something deep and beautiful. I was proud to be there," Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., said.

Afterward, he waved to the crowd from the speaker's balcony and spoke inspiring words in his native Spanish tongue.

"People love him; people follow him," Father Luis Guido observed. "He has a great impact on the people when he speaks to them."

During his address, the pontiff urged lawmakers to unite in hope and healing for a world racked by unrest.

"Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples," the pope urged during his address.

Pope Francis continued to get political in his speeches, discussing issues like climate control and abortion.

He also discussed the refugee crisis, encouraging people to remember the Golden Rule and that it's "our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of development."

One lawmaker expressed disappointment that there was no mention of the Gospel.

"What I think I was very surprised about was that as a leader of the Church, there was no mention of the Gospel," Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., said.  "It was a missed opportunity. I think the world needs to hear that, particularly from a spiritual leader."

Nagmeh Abedini, whose husband Pastor Saeed Abedini is being held prisoner in Iran, said she hoped the pope would speak more forcefully about religious freedom at the United Nations, a topic she feels he ignored in Washington.

"I was expecting more about religious freedom," she said.

"I really pray for the pope that he would - that God would really direct his path and what he is to say. I really hope this issue of religious freedom and religious persecution is addressed."