ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER

Monday, 14 November 2005

Dear Friends,

I welcome you, the representatives of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, to the Vatican.

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration Nostra Aetate, which formulated the principles that have guided the Church’s efforts to promote better understanding between Jews and Catholics. After a difficult and painful history, relations between our two communities are presently taking a new, more positive, direction.  We must continue to advance along the path of mutual respect and dialogue, inspired by our shared spiritual heritage and committed to an ever more effective cooperation in the service of the human family.

Christians and Jews can do much to enable coming generations to live in harmony and respect for the dignity with which every human being has been endowed by the Creator.  I express the hope, shared by men and women of good will everywhere, that this century will see our world emerge from the web of conflict and violence, and sow the seeds for a future of reconciliation, justice and peace.  Upon all of you I invoke an abundance of divine blessings.

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