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Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Excerpts from the addresses of Pope Benedict XVI during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 8-15 May 2009.

The purpose of my pilgrimage.
I…seek to contribute to peace not as an individual, but in the name of the Catholic Church and of the Holy See. We are not a political power, but a spiritual force and this spiritual force is a reality that can contribute to advances in the peace process.

I see three levels. First, as believers we are convinced that prayer is a real force: it opens the world to God. We are convinced that God listens and that he can act in history. I think that if millions of people — millions of believers — all pray, this is truly a force that influences and can contribute to moving forward the cause of peace.

Second, we are seeking to assist in the formation of consciences. The conscience is the human capacity to perceive the truth, but this capacity is often impeded by particular interests. And to break free from these interests, to open up more to the truth, to true values, is a major undertaking: it is a task of the church to help us to know true criteria, true values and to free us from particular interests.

And so — third — we also speak — no doubt about it — to reason: precisely because we are not a political force, we can perhaps more easily, and in light of the faith, see the true criteria, we can assist in understanding what contributes to peace and we can appeal to reason, we can support positions that are truly reasonable.
(En route to the Holy Land)
Click here to read the full text of the speech.

Jordan and religious freedom.
I come to Jordan as a pilgrim, to venerate holy places that have played such an important part in some of the key events of biblical history.

At Mount Nebo, Moses led his people to within sight of the land that would become their home, and here he died and was laid to rest. At Bethany beyond the Jordan, John the Baptist preached and bore witness to Jesus, whom he baptized in the waters of the river that gives this land its name….

The opportunity that Jordan’s Catholic community enjoys to build public places of worship is a sign of this country’s respect for religion, and on their behalf I want to say how much this openness is appreciated.

Religious freedom is, of course, a fundamental human right, and it is my fervent hope and prayer that respect for all the inalienable rights and the dignity of every man and woman will come to be increasingly affirmed and defended, not only throughout the Middle East, but in every part of the world.
(Queen Alia International Airport)
Click here to read the full text of the speech.

Call to service.
In the footsteps of the prophets, the apostles and the saints, we are called to walk with the Lord, to carry on his mission, to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s universal love and mercy.

We are called to welcome the coming of Christ’s kingdom by our charity, our service to the poor and our efforts to be a leaven of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace in the world around us.

We know that, like Moses, we may not see the complete fulfillment of God’s plan in our lifetime. Yet we trust that, by doing our small part, in fidelity to the vocation each of us has received, we will help to make straight the paths of the Lord and welcome the dawn of his kingdom.
(Mount Nebo)
Click here to read the full text of the speech.

True religion.
…we cannot fail to be concerned that today, with increasing insistency, some maintain that religion fails in its claim to be, by nature, a builder of unity and harmony, an expression of communion between persons and God. Indeed, some assert that religion is necessarily a cause of division in our world; and so they argue that the less attention given to religion in the public sphere the better….

In the face of this situation, where the opponents of religion seek not simply to silence its voice, but to replace it with their own, the need for believers to be true to their principles and beliefs is felt all the more keenly. Muslims and Christians, precisely because of the burden of our common history so often marked by misunderstanding, must today strive to be known and recognized as worshipers of God, faithful to prayer, eager to uphold and live by the Almighty’s decrees, merciful and compassionate, consistent in bearing witness to all that is true and good and ever mindful of the common origin and dignity of all human persons, who remain at the apex of God’s creative design for the world and for history.
(Al Hussein bin Talal Mosque, Amman)
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To the Christians of the Middle East.
…the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel… contain a special message for you, his faithful flock in these lands where he once dwelt. “The good shepherd,” he tells us, “lays down his life for his sheep.”

…May the courage of Christ our shepherd inspire and sustain you daily in your efforts to bear witness to the Christian faith and to maintain the church’s presence in the changing social fabric of these ancient lands.

Fidelity to your Christian roots, fidelity to the church’s mission in the Holy Land, demands of each of you a particular kind of courage: the courage of conviction, born of personal faith, not mere social convention or family tradition; the courage to engage in dialogue and to work side by side with other Christians in the service of the Gospel and solidarity with the poor, the displaced and the victims of profound human tragedies; the courage to build new bridges to enable a fruitful encounter of people of different religions and cultures and thus to enrich the fabric of society.
(Mass at the International Stadium, Amman)
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The witness of the children of Abraham.
Peace is above all a divine gift. For peace is the Almighty’s promise to humanity, and harbors unity….

To the religious leaders…I wish to say that the particular contribution of religions to the quest for peace lies primarily in the wholehearted, united search for God. Ours is the task of proclaiming and witnessing that the Almighty is present and knowable even when he seems hidden from our sight, that he acts in our world for our good and that a society’s future is marked with hope when it resonates in harmony with his divine order. It is God’s dynamic presence that draws hearts together and ensures unity. In fact, the ultimate foundation of unity among persons lies in the perfect oneness and universality of God, who created man and woman in his image and likeness in order to draw us into his own divine life so that all may be one….

My friends: Jerusalem, which has long been a crossroads for peoples of many different origins, is a city that affords Jews, Christians and Muslims both the duty and the privilege to bear witness together to the peaceful coexistence long desired by worshipers of the one God; to lay bare the Almighty’s plan for the unity of the human family announced to Abraham; and to proclaim the true nature of man as a seeker of God. Let us resolve to ensure that through the teaching and guidance of our respective communities we shall assist them to be true to who they are as believers, ever aware of the infinite goodness of God, the inviolable dignity of every human being and the unity of the entire human family.
(Presidential Palace, Jerusalem)
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Security, integrity, justice and peace.
Sacred Scripture also presents us with an understanding of security. According to the Hebrew usage, security — batah — arises from trust and refers not just to the absence of threat, but also to the sentiment of calmness and confidence…. Security, integrity, justice and peace. In God’s design for the world, these are inseparable. Far from being simply products of human endeavor, they are values that stem from God’s fundamental relationship with man and dwell as a common patrimony in the heart of every individual.

There is only one way to protect and promote these values: exercise them! Live them! No individual, family, community or nation is exempt from the duty to live in justice and to work for peace. And naturally, civic and political leaders are expected to ensure just and proper security for the people whom they have been elected to serve. That objective forms a part of the rightful promotion of values common to humanity and thus cannot conflict with the unity of the human family. The authentic values and goals of a society, which always safeguard human dignity, are indivisible, universal and interdependent. Thus they cannot be satisfied when they fall prey to particular interests or piecemeal politics. A nation’s true interest is always served by the pursuit of justice for all.

…lasting security is a matter of trust, nurtured in justice and integrity and sealed through the conversion of hearts that stirs us to look the other in the eye and to recognize the “thou,” as my equal, my brother, my sister. In this way does not society itself become the “fruitful field” (cf. Isaiah 32:15) marked, not by blocks or obstructions, but by cohesion and vibrancy? Can it not become a community with noble aspirations where all are willingly afforded access to education, family housing and the opportunity for employment, a society ready to build upon the lasting foundations of hope?
(Presidential Palace, Jerusalem)
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The Holocaust.
I have come to stand in silence before this monument, erected to honor the memory of the millions of Jews killed in the horrific tragedy of the Shoah. They lost their lives, but they will never lose their names: these are indelibly etched in the hearts of their loved ones, their surviving fellow prisoners and all those determined never to allow such an atrocity to disgrace mankind again. Most of all, their names are forever fixed in the memory of Almighty God.

One can rob a neighbor of possessions, opportunity or freedom. One can weave an insidious web of lies to convince others that certain groups are undeserving of respect. Yet, try as one might, one can never take away the name of a fellow human being….

May the names of these victims never perish! May their suffering never be denied, belittled or forgotten! And may all people of goodwill remain vigilant in rooting out from the heart of man anything that could lead to tragedies such as this!
(Yad Vashem Memorial, Jerusalem)
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Our common ground.
The question naturally arises then as to what contribution religion makes to the cultures of the world against the backdrop of rapid globalization. Since many are quick to point out the readily apparent differences between religions, as believers or religious persons we are presented with the challenge to proclaim with clarity what we share in common.

Abraham’s first step in faith, and our steps to or from the synagogue, church, mosque or temple, tread the path of our single human history, unfolding along the way, we might say, to the eternal Jerusalem (cf. Revelation 21:23). Similarly, every culture with its inner capacity to give and receive gives expression to the one human nature. Yet, the individual is never fully expressed through his or her own culture, but transcends it in the constant search for something beyond. From this perspective, dear friends, we see the possibility of a unity that is not dependent upon uniformity.

While the differences we explore in interreligious dialogue may at times appear as barriers, they need not overshadow the common sense of awe and respect for the universal, for the absolute and for truth, which impel religious peoples to converse with one another in the first place.
(Notre Dame Center, Jerusalem)
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God of justice and mercy.
The Dome of the Rock draws our hearts and minds to reflect upon the mystery of creation and the faith of Abraham. Here the paths of the world’s three great monotheistic religions meet, reminding us what they share in common. Each believes in One God, creator and ruler of all. Each recognizes Abraham as a forefather, a man of faith upon whom God bestowed a special blessing. Each has gained a large following throughout the centuries and inspired a rich spiritual, intellectual and cultural patrimony.

In a world sadly torn by divisions, this sacred place serves as a stimulus and also challenges men and women of good will to work to overcome misunderstandings and conflicts of the past and to set out on the path of a sincere dialogue aimed at building a world of justice and peace for coming generations.

Since the teachings of religious traditions ultimately concern the reality of God, the meaning of life and the common destiny of mankind — that is to say, all that is most sacred and dear to us — there may be a temptation to engage in such dialogue with reluctance or ambivalence about its possibilities for success. Yet we can begin with the belief that the One God is the infinite source of justice and mercy, since in him the two exist in perfect unity. Those who confess his name are entrusted with the task of striving tirelessly for righteousness while imitating his forgiveness, for both are intrinsically oriented to the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the human family.
(Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem)
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Christian communion in diversity.
The different Christian churches found here represent a rich and varied spiritual patrimony and are a sign of the multiple forms of interaction between the Gospel and different cultures. They also remind us that the mission of the church is to preach the universal love of God and to gather, from far and near, all who are called by him, in such a way that, with their traditions and their talents, they form the one family of God.

A new spiritual impulse toward communion in diversity within the Catholic Church and a new ecumenical awareness have marked our times, especially since the Second Vatican Council. The Spirit moves our hearts gently toward humility and peace, toward mutual acceptance, comprehension and cooperation. This inner disposition to unity under the prompting of the Holy Spirit is decisive if Christians are to fulfill their mission in the world (cf. John:17:21).
(The Upper Room, Jerusalem)
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The vocation of Jerusalem.
Paul’s exhortation to “set our minds on the things that are above” must constantly echo in our hearts. His words point us to the fulfillment of faith’s vision in that heavenly Jerusalem where, in fidelity to the ancient prophecies, God will wipe away the tears from every eye, and prepare a banquet of salvation for all peoples (cf. Isaiah 25:6-8; Revelation 21:2-4).

This is the hope, this is the vision that inspires all who love this earthly Jerusalem to see her as a prophecy and promise of that universal reconciliation and peace that God desires for the whole human family. Sadly, beneath the walls of this same city, we are also led to consider how far our world is from the complete fulfillment of that prophecy and promise. In this holy city where life conquered death, where the Spirit was poured out as the first fruits of the new creation, hope continues to battle despair, frustration and cynicism, while the peace that is God’s gift and call continues to be threatened by selfishness, conflict, division and the burden of past wrongs….

Gathered beneath the walls of this city, sacred to the followers of three great religions, how can we not turn our thoughts to Jerusalem’s universal vocation? Heralded by the prophets, this vocation also emerges as an indisputable fact, a reality irrevocably grounded in the complex history of this city and its people. Jews, Muslims and Christians alike call this city their spiritual home. How much needs to be done to make it truly a “city of peace” for all peoples, where all can come in pilgrimage in search of God, and hear his voice, “a voice which speaks of peace”! (cf. Psalms 85:8)
(Mass in the Valley of Josafat, Jerusalem)
Click here to read the full text of the speech.

A Palestinian homeland.
Mr. President, the Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbors, within internationally recognized borders. Even if at present that goal seems far from being realized, I urge you and all your people to keep alive the flame of hope, hope that a way can be found of meeting the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians for peace and stability.

In the words of the late Pope John Paul II, there can be “no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness.” I plead with all the parties to this longstanding conflict to put aside whatever grievances and divisions still stand in the way of reconciliation and to reach out with generosity and compassion to all alike, without discrimination.

Just and peaceful coexistence among the peoples of the Middle East can only be achieved through a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, in which the rights and dignity of all are acknowledged and upheld. I ask all of you, I ask your leaders, to make a renewed commitment to work toward these goals. In particular, I call on the international community to bring its influence to bear in favor of a solution. Believe and trust that through honest and persevering dialogue, with full respect for the demands of justice, lasting peace really can be attained in these lands.
(Presidential Palace, Bethlehem)
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The message of Bethlehem.
From the day of his birth, Jesus was “a sign of contradiction” (cf. Luke 2:34), and he continues to be so, even today. The Lord of hosts…wished to inaugurate his kingdom by being born in this little town…. Here, in Bethlehem, amid every kind of contradiction, the stones continue to cry out this “good news,” the message of redemption that this city, above all others, is called to proclaim to the world.

For here, in a way that surpassed every human hope and expectation, God proved faithful to his promises. In the birth of his Son, he revealed the coming of a kingdom of love: a divine love that stoops down in order to bring healing and lift us up; a love that is revealed in the humiliation and weakness of the cross, yet triumphs in a glorious resurrection to new life. Christ brought a kingdom that is not of this world, yet a kingdom that is capable of changing this world, for it has the power to change hearts, to enlighten minds and to strengthen wills….

And this is what the message of Bethlehem calls us to be: witnesses of the triumph of God’s love over the hatred, selfishness, fear and resentment that cripple human relationships and create division where brothers should dwell in unity, destruction where men should be building, despair where hope should flourish!
(Manger Square, Bethlehem)
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The wall.
Towering over us, as we gather here this afternoon, is a stark reminder of the stalemate that relations between Israelis and Palestinians seem to have reached — the wall. In a world where more and more borders are being opened up — to trade, to travel, to movement of peoples, to cultural exchanges — it is tragic to see walls still being erected. How we long to see the fruits of the much more difficult task of building peace! How earnestly we pray for an end to the hostilities that have caused this wall to be built!

On both sides of the wall, great courage is needed if fear and mistrust are to be overcome, if the urge to retaliate for loss or injury is to be resisted. It takes magnanimity to seek reconciliation after years of fighting. Yet history has shown that peace can only come when the parties to a conflict are willing to move beyond their grievances and work together toward common goals, each taking seriously the concerns and fears of the other, striving to build an atmosphere of trust. There has to be a willingness to take bold and imaginative initiatives toward reconciliation: if each insists on prior concessions from the other, the result can only be stalemate.
(Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem)
Click here to read the full text of the speech.

Ending intolerance and exclusion.
Although walls can easily be built we all know that they do not last for ever. They can be taken down. First, though, it is necessary to remove the walls that we build around our hearts, the barriers that we set up against our neighbors. That is why…I want to make a renewed plea for openness and generosity of spirit, for an end to intolerance and exclusion. No matter how intractable and deeply entrenched a conflict may appear to be, there are always grounds to hope that it can be resolved, that the patient and persevering efforts of those who work for peace and reconciliation will bear fruit in the end. My earnest wish for you, the people of Palestine, is that this will happen soon, and that you will at last be able to enjoy the peace, freedom and stability that have eluded you for so long.

Be assured that I will continue to take every opportunity to urge those involved in peace negotiations to work toward a just solution that respects the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
(Presidential Palace, Bethlehem)
Click here to read the full text of the speech.

The unity of Holy Land Christians.
In the State of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Christians form a minority of the population. Perhaps at times you feel that your voice counts for little. Many of your fellow Christians have emigrated in the hope of finding greater security and better prospects elsewhere. Your situation calls to mind that of the young Virgin Mary, who led a hidden life in Nazareth, with little by way of worldly wealth or influence….

Draw strength from Mary’s canticle, which very soon we will be singing in union with the whole church throughout the world! Have the confidence to be faithful to Christ and to remain here in the land that he sanctified with his own presence!

Like Mary, you have a part to play in God’s plan for salvation, by bringing Christ forth into the world, by bearing witness to him and spreading his message of peace and unity. For this, it is essential that you should be united among yourselves, so that the church in the Holy Land can be clearly recognized as “a sign and instrument of communion with God and of the unity of the entire human race” (“Lumen Gentium,” 1). Your unity in faith, hope and love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, enabling you to be effective instruments of God’s peace, helping to build genuine reconciliation between the different peoples who recognize Abraham as their father in faith.
(Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth)
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United witness.
Extending his arms on the cross, Jesus revealed the fullness of his desire to draw all people to himself, uniting them together as one (cf. John 12:32). Breathing his Spirit upon us he revealed his power to enable us to participate in his mission of reconciliation (cf. John 19:30; 20:22-23).

In that breath, through the redemption that unites, stands our mission! Little wonder, then, that it is precisely in our burning desire to bring Christ to others, to make known his message of reconciliation (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:19), that we experience the shame of our division. Yet, sent out into the world (cf. John 20:21), empowered by the unifying force of the Holy Spirit (ibid. v. 22), proclaiming the reconciliation that draws all to believe that Jesus is the Son of God (ibid. v. 31), we shall find the strength to redouble our efforts to perfect our communion, to make it complete, to bear united witness to the love of the Father who sends the Son so that the world may know his love for us (cf. John 17:23).
(Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem)
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Hope.
The empty tomb speaks to us of hope, the hope that does not disappoint because it is the gift of the spirit of life (cf. Romans 5:5).

…May hope rise up ever anew, by God’s grace, in the hearts of all the people dwelling in these lands! May it take root in your hearts, abide in your families and communities, and inspire in each of you an ever more faithful witness to the Prince of Peace!

The church in the Holy Land, which has so often experienced the dark mystery of Golgotha, must never cease to be an intrepid herald of the luminous message of hope that this empty tomb proclaims. The Gospel reassures us that God can make all things new, that history need not be repeated, that memories can be healed, that the bitter fruits of recrimination and hostility can be overcome and that a future of justice, peace, prosperity and cooperation can arise for every man and woman, for the whole human family, and in a special way for the people who dwell in this land so dear to the heart of the Saviour.
(The Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem)
Click here to read the full text of the speech.

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