Orthodox leaders hope for ecumenical progress under new pope

Rome (ENI). Orthodox church leaders have praised the theological achievements of the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI and predicted inter-church ties would improve during his pontificate. "John Paul II's initiatives for bringing the churches closer in dialogue and peace have aroused hope," said Patriarch Bartholomeos I of Constantinople. [509 words, ENI-05-0296]


Palestinians urge Pope Benedict to strengthen Christian-Muslim ties

Jerusalem (ENI). Palestinians who have seen Israeli leaders praise the new pontiff have urged Pope Benedict XVI to make the establishment of a Palestinian state and stronger Christian-Muslim ties priorities of his papacy. "The Palestinian cause is a humanitarian issue. The Pope needs to give this issue special attention and support it," said Sheikh Taysir al-Tamimi, a top Palestinan Muslim cleric. Palestinian Roman Catholics attending mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem expressed hope that Pope Benedict would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope John Paul II. [295 words, ENI-05-0295]


Profile: High hopes or low expectations on church unity under Benedict?

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, before he was elected to be Pope Benedict XVI, the man who is now pontiff was seen as the iron fist in the velvet glove of his predecessor, John Paul II.
Ratzinger was the cardinal charged with restoring discipline and traditional values to a church he and his leader feared was fast losing sight of its mission, engaged on what he saw as a battle for the soul of world Catholicism. Still, in his first full address after becoming Pope Benedict XVI, he said he was "disposed to do all in his power to promote the fundamental cause of ecumenism". [1233 words, ENI-05-0297]