Later this month, Pope Benedict sets out on a visit to his native Germany, hoping
to kindle a renewed interest in the faith in an increasingly secular nation. The four
day trip, beginning on September 22nd, will take him to the once divided
capital Berlin, as well as to Erfurt, Etzelsbach and Freiburg for meetings with the
country’s civic and religious leaders. High on the Pope’s agenda will be meetings
with Jewish and Muslim representatives, as well as with leaders of Germany’s Protestant
Churches. Among those watching this visit closely will be Lutheran pastor Theodor
Dieter, director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasburg, France. Philippa
Hitchen spoke with him to find out more about Catholic-Lutheran relations in Germany
and about his hopes for this forthcoming papal trip…