Pope Benedict XVI’s interview to German TV

(14 Aug. 2006) :- Pope Benedict XVI says he does not feel strong enough to take many long trips, but that he would like to travel to a peaceful Holy Land. In a wide-ranging interview with German television broadcast Sunday, the pontiff spoke of Europe's role in Christianity, secularization
in the Western world as well as the growing importance of churches in Africa and Latin
America. In the 35 minute long interview , the pontiff also offered some insight into his own personality and ministry, saying being pope is “really tiring and that it is important to see the
funny side of life.

The 79-year-old pope has made three foreign trips since assuming the papacy
in April 2005. So far all have been within Europe, with a pilgrimage to his native Bavaria,
Germany, scheduled in September. Then I'd like to visit the Holy Land, and I hope to
visit it in a time of peace,” said the pontiff, who has issued repeated appeals to stop violence between Israel and Hezbollah militias in southern Lebanon.

In the interview, the pope reiterated what has so far been a theme of his pontificate, the fight against growing secularism in Western society, especially in Europe. In the Western world today we are experiencing a wave of new and drastic enlightenment or secularization. Humanity has rebuilt the world by itself and finding God inside this world has become more difficult.” However, the pope said the West is also influenced by other cultures in which the religious element is very strong. Pope Benedict sought to give a positive image of the Roman Catholic Church as he answered questions about family and AIDS. “Christianity, Catholicism, isn't a collection of prohibitions: It's a positive option,” said the pope, lamenting that this idea has almost completely disappeared today. Pope Benedict gave the interview Aug. 5 in his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, a hill town south of Rome. The pope was interviewed by German public television channels ARD and ZDF, by Bavarian regional broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk, German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and Fr. Gemminghen of Vatican Radio.