Rome, Italy

We had previously reported that His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX was to leave to Rome to participate in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

On Satõrday the 8th of June 2008, The Holy Pontiff Benedict XVI received the participants in the plenary meeting of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

The Holy Father said that religious collaboration gives the opportunity of expressing the highest ideals of every religious tradition."Helping the sick, giving succor to victims of natural disasters and violence, care of the elderly and the poor: These are some of the sectors in which persons of different religions can work together."

The Holy Pontiff explained, to "be authentic such dilaogue must be a journey of faith," and at the same time "it is necessary that the promoters be well-formed in their faith and well-informed about the beliefs of others."