Pope Benedict Eager to Address the World of Culture

(September 11, 2008) Benedict XVI is looking forward to addressing the French world of culture this week, says a Vatican spokesman. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office and Vatican Radio, told reporters Tuesday that the Pope is preparing with great care the address he will deliver Friday afternoon to individuals from the world of thought, science and art, as well as representatives of UNESCO and the European Union. The gathering will take place at the recently restored College of the Bernardines in Paris. The Pontiff will travel Friday-Monday to Paris and Lourdes. His visit to the Marian shrine, which begins Saturday, takes place in the context of the 150th anniversary of apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous. Father Lombardi said the Holy Father's address to the world of culture "is greatly anticipated. It is a text that the Pope has prepared with great eagerness." The text originally written in German has been translated into French which contains Pope’s teachings and the relationship between faith and reason. The place of the meeting is very symbolic, said Father Lombardi, as "it has a great history." It is an architectural complex founded in 1245 by a Cistercian monk at the request of Pope Innocent IV, who was convinced that the renewal of the Church should be through study. He further explained that Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, deceased archbishop of Paris, "succeeded in having the Church recover the use of this centre as the place of meeting between the Church and culture." Pope will inaugurate this newly renewed church during his visit. During his stay in Paris, the Holy Father will meet with political leaders, representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as representatives of the other Christian Churches.