” “Pope Benedict XVI’s welcome to Rome, the city of the apostles Peter and Paul, in an "ecumenical spirit" and "after centuries of isolation". With these words, the Holy Father welcomed the members of the “Mennonite World Conference” delegation in the Vatican this morning. "Since it is Christ Himself who asks us to find unity among Christians, it is extremely right and appropriate for Mennonites and Catholics to have begun to talk in order to understand the reasons behind the conflict that took place between us in the sixteenth century. Understanding means making the first step towards reconciliation". The Mennonites belong to the Anabaptist tradition of the Reform, which in the XVI century took a more radical attitude than the followers of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin. Non-violence and pacifism are an essential part of the Mennonite doctrine. Today, there are over one million Mennonites in the world, especially in Africa and in India. They are about 600 in Italy. (continued)” “
