Pope Bendict XVI Visit to the Cologne Synagogue

Official website of the XX WYD 2005's Documents has his speech here.

I don't know if he's delivered the speech yet. He has an important message for all Fools to understand. After describing the rich history of the Jewish community in Cologne, and noting the accomplishments of Christians and Jews since Nostra Aetate, the Holy Father offers this insight:

We must come to know one another much more and much better. Consequently I would encourage sincere and trustful dialogue between Jews and Christians, for only in this way will it be possible to arrive at a shared interpretation of disputed historical questions, and, above all, to make progress towards a theological evaluation of the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. This dialogue, if it is to be sincere, must not gloss over or underestimate the existing differences: in those areas in which, due to our profound convictions in faith, we diverge, and indeed precisely in those areas, we need to show respect for one another.

Finally, our gaze should not only be directed to the past, but should also look forward to the tasks that await us today and tomorrow. Our rich common heritage and our fraternal and more trusting relations call upon us to join in giving an ever more harmonious witness and to work together on the practical level for the defence and promotion of human rights and the sacredness of human life, for family values, for social justice and for peace in the world. The Decalogue (cf. Ex 20; Dt 5) is for us a shared legacy and commitment. The Ten Commandments are not a burden, but a sign-post showing the path leading to a successful life. This is particularly the case for the young people whom I am meeting in these days and who are so dear to me. My wish is that they may be able to recognize in the Decalogue a lamp for their steps, a light for their path (cf. Ps 119:105). Adults have the responsibility of handing down to young people the torch of hope that God has given to Jews and to Christians, so that “never again” will the forces of evil come to power, and that future generations, with God’s help, may be able to build a more just and peaceful world, in which all people have equal rights and are equally at home.

Christians and Jews must not forget that we are brothers in the Faith of the Lord. While the Jewish people do not recognize Jesus as the messiah, Christians must never forget that Jesus of Nazareth lived and died a Jew. The Jewish people were the first to whom God entrusted his self-revelation. Through the covenant he made with Abraham, God our Father holds the Jewish people as his own still. Christians are that wild shoot that has been grafted onto the tree that is Judaism, as St. Paul alludes to in his letter to the Romans. While we may differ on the Savior, we stand united as a people of revelation and the decalogue.

This does not mean we should downplay our differences. Jews and Christians clearly do not believe in God the same way. We differ strongly over who Jesus is. While Catholics must never cease to believe that the fullness of truth in Jesus Christ has been entrusted to the Catholic Church, we must not allow this conviction to divide us from our Jewish brothers and sisters. We are not superior to our family. We must collaborate and speak honestly together in order to work out our differences to the fullest extent that we can.

Pope Benedict XVI continues the healing work begun by Pope John Paul the Great. May all Fools join with him in seeing that all brothers and sisters in the Faith of God our Father at last come to live together in abiding peace.