An "extremely rich speech, with a universal value". With these words, Jean-Dominique Durand, historian and professor at Lyons University, defines "on the spot" Benedict XVI’s words, spoken this afternoon at "Collège des Bernardins" in Paris, during the meeting with the world of culture. "The Pope spoke to French men and women, but the scope of his speech goes beyond the national boundaries, it is at least European". The Holy Father mentioned the role of the monasteries "as the places of the search for God", which "have saved the ancient culture"; his words then covered the Bible and the need to interpret the Scriptures by going beyond their literal meaning, as an "antidote against fundamentalism". "Benedict XVI explains Durand spoke of two risks of our time: on one hand, the fanaticism of fundamentalism, and, on the other hand, the arbitrariness of relativism". "What founded the culture of Europe, the search for God and the willingness to listen to Him, is still the foundation of any true culture", stated the Pope at the end of his speech. Words that, according to Durand, recall that "comparison, also quoted by the Pontiff, between our time and the ancient times. Saint Benedict, as he founded monasticism, spoke of the «confusion of the times», which still applies. Likewise, as much now as at the time of Saint Paul, God is the «great unknown»". ” ” ” “
