The Vatican has released a recorded television message to Americans by Pope Benedict XVI ahead of his first trip to the United States in which he expresses "hope for peace, for justice, and for freedom" while adding that they "can never be fulfilled without obedience to the law of God."

In the message, delivered in German-accented English and Spanish and shown to Vatican accredited journalists today, the Pope said "I shall also bring the message of Christian hope to the great Assembly of the United Nations, to the representatives of all the peoples of the world.".

He added: "Do to others as you would have them do to you, and avoid doing what you would not want them to do. This 'golden rule' is given in the Bible, but it is valid for all people, including non-believers. It is the law written on the human heart; on this we can all agree, so that when we come to address other matters we can do so in a positive and constructive manner for the entire human community."

Pope Benedict will visit Ground Zero during his trip between April 15-20, and will also meet President Bush at the White House and address the UN as well as meeting Catholic audiences and representatives of other faiths.

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Addressing American Catholics, he said: "I have chosen as the theme of my journey three simple but essential words: 'Christ our hope. Following in the footsteps of my venerable predecessors, Paul VI and John Paul II, I shall come to United States of America as Pope for the first time, to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition."

He continued: "Yes, Christ is the face of God present among us. Through him, our lives reach fullness, and together, both as individuals and peoples, we can become a family united by fraternal love, according to the eternal plan of God the Father. I know how deeply rooted this Gospel message is in your country. I am coming to share it with you, in a series of celebrations and gatherings."

Father Federico Lombardi, the Pope's spokesman, said because of time constraints the pontiff would visit only two cities, Washington - the seat of government and of the US Catholic Bishops Conference - and New York. However his intention was "to reach out spiritually to all Catholics in the United States."

The Pope will arrive at Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday April 15, where he will be welcomed by President Bush and his wife Laura. The next day, when he turns 81, he will meet President Bush at the White House before a birthday lunch with American cardinals.

On Thursday April 17 the Pope will address students and professors from the Catholic University and meet representatives of other faiths at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. On Friday April 18 he travels to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly and visit a synagogue to mark the Jewish Passover.

On Saturday April 19 he will preside at a morning mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and meet seminarians in the afternoon. Father Lombardi said the "most emotional" stop would be at Ground Zero on Sunday April 20, the last day of the trip, followed by a mass at Yankee Stadium.

In his television message Pope Benedict said he hoped his trip would be seen as a sign of friendship toward all Christian denominations and other religions. "I earnestly hope that my presence among you will be seen as a fraternal gesture towards every ecclesial community and a sign of friendship for members of other religious traditions and all men and women of good will," he said.