NEW YORK -- Pope Benedict XVI told diplomats at the United Nations on Friday that respect for human rights was the key to solving many of the world's problems, while cautioning that international cooperation was threatened by "the decisions of a small number."

The pontiff, addressing the U.N. General Assembly on his first papal trip to the U.S., said the organization's work is vital. But he raised concerns that power is concentrated in just a handful of nations.

"Multilateral consensus," he said, speaking in French, "continues to be in crisis because it is still subordinated to the decisions of a small number." The world's problems call for collective interventions by the international community, he said.

Benedict, only the third pope to address the United Nations, made the remarks after three dramatic days in which he repeatedly discussed America's clergy sexual abuse scandal.

Later on Friday, the pope will attend a prayer service with leaders of various Christian denominations.

Thursday night, Catholic education was on the agenda for Pope Benedict. He met with educators from across the country. One of those in attendance was the president of Saint Vincent College, Jim Towey.

"It was very moving, you know. It's one thing to see him on television and then to see him there among his own. He's an intellectual. He's from academia. To see him there as a teacher and a leader, it was very moving. And, of course, I think he laid out a vision for the 21st century,” Towey said.

The remainder of the pope's stay in New York will include a Mass at Yankee Stadium and a trip to Ground Zero with families and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.