Pope says Vatican II underlined special Christian-Jewish ties

Published: 2005-10-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said the Second Vatican Council had rightly underlined the special ties between Christians and Jews, while expressing respect for Muslims and followers of other religions. "The council fathers confirmed the spirit of universal brotherhood that forbids any type of religious discrimination or persecution," he said. The pope made the remarks at a Sunday blessing Oct. 30 from his apartment window above St. Peter's Square, which was crowded with more than 50,000 visitors. As the church prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the close of Vatican II, the pope asked Catholics to look again at several of the landmark documents approved in the final weeks of the council. Among them was "Nostra Aetate," the Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, which the pope said was extremely relevant today.

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