Then, Benedict XVI recalled that in the past "the relations between Christians and Muslims have not always been marked by respect and mutual understanding", due to wars and fights invoking "the name of God on both sides, as if fighting the enemy and killing the opponents could please Him". According to the Pope, "the memory of these sad events should fill us with shame, as we know very well what atrocities have been committed in the name of religion". "The lessons of the past he highlighted "must help us not to repeat the same mistakes. We want to search for the ways of reconciliation and learn to live respectful of each other’s identity". He reminded the Muslim delegates of "their great responsibility in raising the new generations". "There’s no room for apathy and lack of commitment and even less for partiality and partisanship. We cannot give in to fear or pessimism. Instead, we have to cultivate optimism and hope. The inter-religion and intercultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot end up in a short-lived choice. It is in fact a vital need, on which our future largely depends".
