“We need to know each other better and to build relationships of tolerance as well as real respect on the basis of that mutual discovery. As a matter of fact, the Hebrew, the Christians and the Muslims share lots of beliefs, and there are different areas of humanitarian and social commitment in which we can and should collaborate”. With those words, Benedict XVI addressed the delegation of the Anti-Defamation League received in the Vatican this morning. He continued the tradition started by John Paulo II. “Improving dialogue between different cultures and peoples, – said the Pope to the representatives of the Jewish organization, – needs the development of our mutual understanding, and a common commitment to build a fairer and fairer, more and more peaceful society”. Be recalling the Council declaration “Nostra Aetate”, Benedict XVI confirmed that “the Church disparages any kind of hate and prosecution against the Hebrew, as well as any manifestation of anti-Semitism”. The Pope also expressed another hope: “Any bad use of religion, as pretext for hate and violence, must be eliminated from our world”.
