Leaders of non-Christian faiths in Italy have been giving their
reactions to Benedict's departure and looking ahead to a new era.
Despite angering many Muslims during his reign, the last pope also made
conciliatory gestures and some say inspired more intense dialogue
between the two religions.
Euronews asked the Secretary General of the Islamic and Cultural Centre
in Rome, Abdellah Redouane, what hopes he had for the new Pope.
"I think that our hope is to see communities of believers search
together for solutions to the world's problems, and particularly to
avoid religious wars, and above all to find common ground on which to
work, and in particular (find) universal values to which all believers
can relate," he said.
Rome's Chief Rabbi, Ricardo Di Segni, had a similar message regarding future inter-faith relations.
Despite some well-publicised controversies which placed a strain on
Catholic-Jewish relations, the Chief Rabbi praised Benedict and said he
hoped his successor would continue in the same vein.
"Benedict, as did some previous popes, showed the path to follow. His
guidance was about dialogue and respect for Judaism. Our wish now is not
to go back from the point we've reached," he said.
Published by euronews.com
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