Franco Pisano

Thanking the Chinese orchestra and chorus that performed Mozart's Requiem at the Vatican, Benedict XVI speaks of the Church's openness to all cultures, and of the value of religion. A reference to the Olympics.

In the text that the bishop of Hong Kong prepared for the pope's Way of the Cross, the lack of religious freedom and the persecution of those who remain faithful, the betrayal of some pastors and the "standing beside" the underground Church.

A Document by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith denies the value of relativistic theories which claim there is no need to announce Christ, as well as those which exalt the pluralism of faiths in leading to salvation. The relationship between the missionary mandate, respect for freedom of conscience and religion has ecumenical implications: respect towards non Catholic Christians must not negate the possibility of conversion, which is not proselytism.

In his message for World Peace Day Benedict XVI says that in the family one can experience and be taught peace. For this reason the “family of peoples” must protect it and be inspired by it so as to be able to manage the “common house.” Mankind, which is more important than nature, must use the natural environment and the international community in non-selfish ways and be concerned about a model of sustainable development, all of which requires a moral norm. The Pope also expresses concerns over the arms race, including the race for atomic weapons.

In his second encyclical Benedict XVI affirms that the current “faith” in scientific progress and contesting of God’s existence based on the injustices of this world, are incapable of giving a true answer to man’s questions on the future. Hope is learned and exercised in “places” of prayer, action, sufferance and waiting for God’s Judgement.

“Product of a long inner journey,” the Pope’s book is not a magisterial document. It does however focus on the “historical Jesus” based on the Gospels, one that transcends those readings of the Jesus Story that reduce him to the status of a revolutionary or a mystic. First in a two-volume inquiry, the book looks at the life of Christ on earth and is designed to “favour the development of an intense relationship between the reader and Him.”

Entitled “Sacramentum caritatis” Benedict XVI’s first post synodal apostolic exhortation is almost a vademecum, a systematic exposition of Church teachings on the Eucharist, “source and summit of the life of the Church”. It speaks of the need to defend the family, the indissolubility of marriage, catholic politician’s responsibility, freedom of worship and peace

Since the end of the war, things have gone from persecution, to hostility, to the search for collaboration, even if there are still forms and places of repression. The “no” to John Paul II in 1998.

In his address to the Curia, Benedict XVI assessed his trips this year and highlighted the centrality of the “problem of God” while tackling issues like marriage, de facto marriages, PACS, the Holocaust, ecclesial celibacy, inter-faith dialogue and ecumenism.

In the message for the World Day of Peace of 2007, Benedict XVI reaffirmed respect for life and religious freedom. To encourage the growth of the ‘tree of peace’, it is necessary to be led by a vision of mankind that is not marred by ideological and cultural prejudices or by political or economic interests that incite hatred and violence.

Before leaving Turkey, Benedict XVI celebrated mass in the Catholic cathedral and once again raised ties with Islam. By our special correspondent.

The prayer in the Blue Mosque shows respect for Islam and should improve the situation of Christians living in Muslim countries. Reactions in the ecumenical Patriarchate to the visit are positive in terms of long-term ecumenism.