Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 737

This courageous and paternal dedication was recognized and appreciated

during and after the terrible world conflict by Jewish communities and in-

dividuals who showed their gratitude for what the Pope had done for them.

One need only recall Pius XII's meeting on the 29th of November 1945 with

80 delegates of German concentration camps who during a special Audience

granted to them at the Vatican, wished to thank him personally for his

generosity to them during the terrible period of Nazi-fascist persecution.

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your visit and for the research you

have undertaken. Thanks also to the Pave the Way Foundation for its ongoing

activity in promoting relationships and dialogue between religions, as wit-

nesses of peace, charity and reconciliation. It is my great hope that this year,

which marks the fiftieth-anniversary of my venerated Predecessor's death,

will provide the opportunity to promote in-depth studies of various aspects of

his life and his works in order to come to know the historical truth, over-

coming every remaining prejudice. With these sentiments I invoke upon you

and the proceedings of your symposium an abundance of divine blessings.

VI

Ad Congressum Internationalem Abbatum Benedictinorum.*

Cari Padri Abati,

care sorelle Abbadesse,

con grande gioia vi accolgo e vi saluto in occasione del Congresso inter-

nazionale che ogni quattro anni vede riuniti a Roma tutti gli Abati della

vostra Confederazione e i Superiori dei Priorati indipendenti, per riflettere

e discutere sulle modalità con le quali incarnare il carisma benedettino nel

presente contesto sociale e culturale e rispondere alle sfide sempre nuove che

esso pone alla testimonianza del Vangelo. Saluto innanzitutto l'Abate Pri-

mate Dom Notker Wolf e lo ringrazio per quanto a nome di tutti ha espresso.

Saluto altresı̀ il gruppo di Abbadesse, venute in rappresentanza della Com-

munio Internationalis Benedictinarum, come pure i Rappresentanti ortodossi.

In un mondo desacralizzato e in un'epoca segnata da una preoccupante

cultura del vuoto e del « non senso », voi siete chiamati ad annunciare senza

* Die 20 Septembris 2008.