the footsteps of patriarchs and prophets, a land that Christians hold in parti-

cular veneration as the setting for the events of the life, death and resurrection

of Jesus Christ. I take my place in a long line of Christian pilgrims to these

shores, a line that stretches back to the earliest centuries of the Church's history

and which, I am sure, will continue long into the future. I come, like so many

others before me, to pray at the holy places, to pray especially for peace -

peace here in the Holy Land, and peace throughout the world.

Mr President, the Holy See and the State of Israel have many shared

values, above all a commitment to give religion its rightful place in the life of

society. The just ordering of social relationships presupposes and requires a

respect for the freedom and dignity of every human being, whom Christians,

Muslims and Jews alike believe to be created by a loving God and destined

for eternal life. When the religious dimension of the human person is denied

or marginalized, the very foundation for a proper understanding of inaliena-

ble human rights is placed in jeopardy.

Tragically, the Jewish people have experienced the terrible consequences

of ideologies that deny the fundamental dignity of every human person. It is

right and fitting that, during my stay in Israel, I will have the opportunity to

honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Shoah, and to pray

that humanity will never again witness a crime of such magnitude. Sadly,

anti-Semitism continues to rear its ugly head in many parts of the world.

This is totally unacceptable. Every effort must be made to combat anti-

Semitism wherever it is found, and to promote respect and esteem for the

members of every people, tribe, language and nation across the globe.

During my stay in Jerusalem, I will have the pleasure of meeting many of

this country's distinguished religious leaders. One thing that the three great

monotheistic religions have in common is a special veneration for that holy

city. It is my earnest hope that all pilgrims to the holy places will be able to

access them freely and without restraint, to take part in religious ceremonies

and to promote the worthy upkeep of places of worship on sacred sites. May

the words of Isaiah's prophecy be fulfilled, that many nations shall flow to

the mountain of the house of the Lord, that he may teach them his ways, that

they may walk in his paths - paths of peace and justice, paths that lead to

reconciliation and harmony.1

9 Dicembre 2009 -11 :14 pagina 516 e : /0693_9 /Lavoro /Acta_Giugno_9.3d GRECCO

Acta Apostolicae Sedis Commentarium Officiale516

1 Cfr. Is 2:2-5.