” “Referring to the need for "reconciliation" felt in Africa, Benedict XVI highlighted that "reconciliation is a pre-political concept, a pre-political reality. For that reason, it is of the utmost importance to the task of policy itself. If the power of reconciliation does not take hold of the hearts, every political commitment to peace will lack its inner foundation. At the Synod, the Pastors of the Church committed themselves to the inner purification of man, which is an essential requirement for the establishment of peace and justice", pointed out the Pope. As for his journey to Jordan and to the Holy Land, Benedict XVI thanked the king of Jordan praising his "outstanding commitment to the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims" and the Israeli government for its heartfelt hospitality, stressing the "sufferings and hopes" of the Palestinian Territories. As for his Apostolic Voyage to the Czech Republic, he declared: "before my journey, I have always been told that the country had a clear majority of atheists and agnostics and that Christians represented only a tiny minority". "What a joyful surprise to see the great friendship and cordiality of the people surrounding me!". (continued) ” “
