Vatican City (AsiaNews) Unity among Christians must be a "true passion" that leads us to announce the Gospel with one voice. Ecumenism as well as inter-faith dialogue, especially with Muslims, is a tool for peace in the world.
These are the themes that informed the greetings Benedict XVI made to the delegations of non Catholic Christians and Muslims, who yesterday attended the ceremony that inaugurated his pontificate.
In a world often "marked by conflicts, violence and war", but "earnestly long[ing] for peace", we must "foster dialogue", the Pope told the delegations in the Vatican's Clementine Hall.
"Peace is above all a gift from God," he said, "for which we must pray without ceasing; [it] is also a duty to which all peoples must be committed, especially those who profess to belong to religious traditions".
"The true and great passion for unity," the Pope said, was behind the presence of so many delegations at John Paul II's funeral.
During the pontificate of his predecessor and the beginning of his pontificate "much has been done".
"Such a unique occasion it is", he said, "bringing you together here, at the beginning of my ecclesial service, which I have welcomed with trepidation and trusting obedience to the Lord; so I ask you all that together we give an example of spiritual ecumenism which, through prayers, might achieve without obstacles our communion".
"In greeting you," the Pope told non Catholic Christians, "I would like to thank the Lord, who has blessed us with His mercy and has infused in us a sincere disposition to make His prayerut unum sintour prayer." and "made us increasingly aware of the importance of walking together towards full communion".
"With fraternal friendship we can exchange the gifts the Spirit gave us and to encourage each other to announce Christ and his message to a world, which today appears troubled and unsettled, unaware and indifferent."
In the presence of Muslim delegates, Benedict XVI also expressed his satisfaction for the "growing dialogue between Muslims and Christians at both local and international levels".
The Pope reiterated the point that the Church "wants to build bridges of friendship with the followers of all religions".
Benedict XVI concluded saying: "At the beginning of my pontificate, I urge you and all believers from the religious traditions represented here as well to all those who sincerely seek the truth to become together artisans of peace, of a reciprocal commitment to understanding, respect and love."
A delegation from Israel was not able to attend the ceremony inaugurating Benedict XVI's pontificate because of Passover.
