"Inter-religious and intercultural dialogue must be faced with optimism and hope. It cannot be reduced to an optional extra: quite the opposite”, it is “a vital necessity, on which our future largely depends”. This was said today by Benedict Xvi, as he greeted the president of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkey. "Christians and Muslims explained the Pope , each one according to their own traditions, draw attention to the truthfulness of the sacred character and the dignity of the person. This is the foundation of our mutual respect and esteem, this is the foundation for our cooperation at the service of peace between nations and people, the dearest wish of all believers and of all people of good will”. In mentioning the lesson of the Second Vatican Council, the Pontiff highlighted that "Christians and Muslims belong to the family of all those who believe in one God and who, each one according to their traditions, are related to Abraham". A unity "in our origins" that "drives us to look for a common course of action, while we play our part in that search for fundamental values" that is so "typical of the people of our time”. (to be continued)
