“A sound cooperation between the political community and the Church, aware and respectful of the independence and autonomy of each one in its own sphere, renders a service to man, with a view to his full personal and social development”. This was stated by the Pope, who, in his speech to the French bishops, resumed and expounded on some subjects of his speech at the Elysée, focussed on the "Christian roots" and the proper exercise of “laicism”. The Holy See, assured Benedict XVI, “wishes to respect the uniqueness of the French situation”. From this perspective, “emphasising the Christian roots of France will enable every citizen of this country to get a better understanding of where he comes from and where he is going”. “In the current institutional framework and in the greatest obedience of the current laws", according to the Pope, "a new way should be found, and the fundamental values on which the identity of the country has been built should be lived in everyday life”: the French president himself "suggested this possibility", noticed Benedict XVI, with an indirect reference to the concept of "positive laicism" explained by Sarkozy, also at the Elysée. "The Church does not want to replace the State”, explained the Holy Father, but "speaks freely, with a view to building a common freedom”.
