Papal Message Notes 'Joy, Comfort' at Peace Meeting in Spirit of Assisi

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 11, 2012 (Zenit.org).- A papal message signed by Benedict XVI's secretary of state conveyed "joy and comfort" because the 1986 meeting in Assisi hosted by Pope John Paul II continues to bear fruit.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a message regarding the 26th International Meeting for Peace, organized by the Sant'Egidio Community in Sarajevo. The three-day meeting ended today.

"It is a motive of joy and comfort to see that this pilgrimage of peace, begun in Assisi in October of 1986 by Blessed John Paul II, continues to bear fruit," the message read. "The Supreme Pontiff himself wished to stress its significance last year, 25 years later, going as a pilgrim to the city of Saint Francis, together with so many believers and men and women of good will, who are in sincere search of the truth and, because of this, are committed to building peace."

Cardinal Bertone recalled that on that trip last year, the Pope suggested that peace is menaced by two risks: "on one hand, the instrumentalization of religion as motive of violence, and on the other the 'no' to God in the name of an altogether secularized vision of man, which in turn is capable of producing a measureless violence."

The Holy Father proposed as an antidote to these risks the "alliance of religious persons and of persons who do not feel that they are members of a religious tradition, but are in sincere search of the truth," the cardinal explained.

From a profound and sincere dialogue, he proposed, believers' religion will be purified, and non-believers will be kept open to the the great questions of humanity and the "Mystery that envelops the life of man."

"Peace needs to be supported by hearts and minds that seek truth, that open to the action of God, that stretch their hands to others," the papal message affirmed.

--- --- ---

On ZENIT's Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-35504?l=english