In recent days, the Pope was attempting a reconciliation with Judaism:
Benedict warns of growing secularism
Do-it-yourself faith `cannot help us,' pontiff says
Shares concern on hatred, terror with Jews, Muslims
MELISSA EDDY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLOGNE, Germany—Pope Benedict XVI triumphantly ended his four-day trip to Germany yesterday with an open-air mass for a million people and a warning to Europe against growing secularism and "do-it-yourself" religion.
A synagogue visit in which he won applause for his alarm about rising anti-Semitism and a frank talk with Muslims about terrorism made interfaith relations a key theme of his first foreign travel as pope.
In his closing homily at mass, Benedict described for the 20th World Youth Day festival in Cologne, Germany, a "strange forgetfulness of God," paralleled by a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction that has led to a "new explosion of religion.
"I have no wish to discredit all the manifestations of this phenomenon," he said. "Yet, if it is pushed too far, religion becomes almost a consumer product. People choose what they like, and some are even able to make a profit from it. But religion constructed on a `do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us."
The throngs from close to 200 countries had been invited to the festival by a different pope, the charismatic John Paul II, before his death April 2.
But they embraced his 78-year-old, more subdued successor with the same huge turnout, shouts and applause.
"Beeen-e-DET-to, Beeen-e-DET-to," they chanted, using the Italian version of his name. An estimated 800,000 spent the night in Marienfeld (Mary's Field) outside Cologne, sleeping on the ground to secure a place at yesterday's mass. Flags from dozens of countries floated over the crowd.
Benedict returned to Rome last night by airplane. During the flight, he posed for photos with German journalists.
Benedict used his trip to make it clear that he intends to continue John Paul II's lead in key areas. Notably, he held two important interfaith meetings with Muslims and Jews.
He became only the second pope in history to visit a synagogue when he spoke to Cologne's Jewish community, winning a standing ovation for his warning of rising anti-Semitism and call for deeper dialogue.
The Catholic leader made blunt statements at a meeting with Muslim officials. Raising the issue of terrorism, which he called "cruel fanaticism," he urged older Muslims to educate the young generation in the ways of peace.
It was clear he was establishing his own style. There were none of John Paul II's theatrical gestures such as kissing the ground on arrival or shuffling to the music. Instead, Benedict read his speeches slowly in a soft voice and waved and smiled shyly at the loud applause that greeted him every time he came out in public.
Also, he did not remind his youthful audience of the Roman Catholic Church's bans on premarital sex and the use of condoms and other forms of artificial birth control, favourite topics of John Paul II.
He made no promise to attend the next World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, in 2008, either.
John Paul II would always end World Youth Day, the festival he founded in 1984, by saying he would come to the next one.
Benedict expressed serious concern on another of his favourite themes, the need to evangelize a Europe that has become increasingly secular despite its centuries of Christian belief — although the huge turnout for mass yesterday was evidence that the church retains its hold over many people.
"Even in traditionally Catholic areas, the teaching of religion and catechesis do not always manage to forge lasting bonds between young people and the church community," he told German bishops shortly before his departure.
At the mass, he urged the church's next generation to use wisely the freedom God gives them. "Freedom is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness so that we ourselves can become true and good."
He urged people not to forget Sunday mass when they returned to their home countries: "If you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time.'
Benedict's visit was also his first as pope to his native country. He was born in Marktl Am Inn in Bavaria. In his farewell remarks at the airport, he said that he hoped people had seen another Germany to counter the shameful memory of Nazi rule and World War II. |
