Pope and German Leaders Talk Ecumenism
Meets President Köhler and Chancellor Merkel
MUNICH, Germany, SEPT. 10, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Christian unity was a common theme of Benedict XVI's conversations with Germany's top leaders upon arriving to his native Bavaria.
German President Horst Köhler addressed the question of ecumenism directly in his greeting on Saturday to the Holy Father at Munich's international airport.
"The German churches have strengths and energies that enrich the whole country," Köhler said. "I know that almost 500 years of theological developments and different religious practices cannot be ended at the stroke of a pen, and I know that in the last 50 years there has been an intense rapprochement."
"As a Protestant Christian, I express the hope that this evolution will continue," said the president.
The Pope responded in his address at the welcoming ceremony: "With your words ... you have interpreted the thoughts of my heart: Although 500 years cannot be simply eliminated in a bureaucratic manner or with intelligent speeches, we will be committed with our heart and reason to converge mutually."
Saturday meeting
Benedict XVI met privately Saturday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Munich Residenz, the former residence of Bavarian royalty.
A smiling chancellor told journalists that the Holy Father was "very open" on the question of ecumenism.
Merkel, daughter of a Protestant pastor, said: "We have spoken of ecumenism in Germany and I reaffirmed that, given the many people who are not connected to the Christian faith in Germany, it is even more important to find paths in ecumenism, without neglecting what constitutes the difference between us."
Chancellor Merkel also said that in her private meeting with the Pope, the issue of the Christian roots of the Old World was also mentioned.
"We spoke about Europe and," she said, "as is true for me, the issue of Europe's values is something very important for the Holy Father."
The trip to Bavaria is Benedict XVI's fourth international trip, and his second to Germany.
