Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 467

These are important issues to which religious leaders living and working in

pluralistic societies must pay close attention.

It is important to emphasize the need for formation for those who pro-

mote interreligious dialogue. If it is to be authentic, this dialogue must be a

journey of faith. How necessary it is for its promoters to be well formed in

their own beliefs and well informed about those of others. It is for this reason

that I encourage the efforts of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dia-

logue to organize formation courses and programmes in interreligious dialo-

gue for different Christian groups, especially seminarians and young people in

tertiary educational institutions.

Interreligious collaboration provides opportunities to express the highest

ideals of each religious tradition. Helping the sick, bringing relief to the

victims of natural disasters or violence, caring for the aged and the poor:

these are some of the areas in which people of different religions collaborate. I

encourage all those who are inspired by the teaching of their religions to help

the suffering members of society.

Dear friends, as you come to the end of your Plenary Assembly, I thank

you for the work you have done. I ask you to take the message of good will

from the Successor of Peter to your Christian flock and to all our friends of

other religions. Willingly I impart my Apostolic blessing to you as a pledge of

grace and peace in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

II

Ad participes VI Symposii Europaei docentium apud Universitates.*

Signor Cardinale,

Venerati Fratelli nell'Episcopato e nel Sacerdozio,

Illustri Docenti,

è per me motivo di profonda gioia incontrarvi in occasione del VI Simpo-

sio europeo dei Docenti universitari sul tema «Allargare gli orizzonti della

razionalità. Prospettive per la Filosofia », promosso dai Docenti delle Univer-

sità di Roma e organizzato dall'Ufficio per la Pastorale Universitaria del

Vicariato di Roma in collaborazione con le Istituzioni regionali, provinciali

e del Comune di Roma. Ringrazio il Signor Cardinale Camillo Ruini e il

* Die 7 Iunii 2008.