Pope says open to dialogue with cultures and faiths

Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, elevates the host as he leads a mass in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Picture / Reuters

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI, widely expected to be a stern defender of Roman Catholic orthodoxy, said on Wednesday that he wanted open dialogue both within his own Church and with other faiths and cultures.

Speaking in Latin during his first public Mass, German-born Joseph Ratzinger said he felt a sense of inadequacy after being elected pontiff, but believed his predecessor John Paul II was guiding him at the start of his papacy.

"I welcome everybody with simplicity and love to assure them that the Church wants to continue in open and sincere dialogue with them, in search of true good of man and society," he said, speaking in the Sistine Chapel where he was elected on Tuesday.

The silver-haired pontiff said his election, which came in one of the fastest conclaves of modern times, had been a surprise and had filled him with "human turmoil".

"I seem to feel (John Paul II's) strong hand holding mine, I seem to see his smiling eyes and hear him speaking to me at this moment, saying: 'Don't be afraid'," he told the 114 cardinals who had picked him and who were seated around the chapel.

"By choosing me ... the Lord has called me to be a 'rock' on which everybody can stand with confidence. I ask him to make up for my weaknesses so I might be a bold and faithful pastor of his flock, always open to the inspiration of his spirit."

The strict guardian of Catholic orthodoxy for 23 years, Ratzinger has made clear in recent speeches that he will brook no dissent in his Church and spoke out earlier this week against non-Catholic Christian sects.

But his first official speech as Pope appeared to be a commitment to continue moves launched by his predecessors to engage in a dialogue with all religions and cultures.

"The current successor of (Saint) Peter ... is willing to do everything in his power to promote the fundamental cause of ecumenism," the 78-year old Pope said.

"Theological dialogue is necessary, the deep study of historic reasons behind past decisions is also indispensable. But the most important thing is 'purification of memory', which John Paul II so often mentioned, which is the only thing that can bring souls to accept the full truth of Christ."

- REUTERS