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World News

Pope to follow in predecessor's footsteps

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI pledged April 20 to work to unify all Christians and reach out to other religions as he outlined his goals and made clear he would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, said his "primary task" would be to work to reunify all Christians and that sentiment alone was not enough. "Concrete acts that enter souls and move consciences are needed," he said.

The 256th pope said he wanted to continue "an open and sincere dialogue" with other religions and would do everything in his power to improve the ecumenical cause.

Jewish and Muslim leaders responded by welcoming Benedict, although the pope's participation, albeit unwilling, in the Nazi Party as a youth rang some alarms in Israel.

Benedict, 78, is the oldest pope in 275 years. His age clearly was a factor among cardinals who favored a "transitional" pope.

The choice was greeted with joy by conservatives and consternation among Roman Catholic reformers in this age of growing secularism.

Benedict is a conservative in issues such as homosexuality, contraception, euthanasia, the ordination of women, and the lifting of the celibacy requirement for priests.

Dubbed in the Italian press as "God's Rottweiler," he worked as a strict disciplinarian beside the previous pope and has made clear where he stands ideologically, warning April 20 against sects and ideologies such as Marxism, liberalism, atheism, agnosticism and relativism.


Shukan ST: April 29, 2005

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