Benedict XVI avoids self-criticism

The left-liberal daily La Repubblica compares the Pope's visit to Israel with that of his predecessor John Paul II: "The Polish Pope declared himself a 'Jew among Jews' and made his mea culpa at the Wailing Wall. He lifted his voice to God in the holy language of the Jews. As was his custom, he overcame the obstacles of theology with his heart and his devout humility. ... Joseph Ratzinger's actions are not steeped in feelings, but in theory. Driven by a pessimism that has grown with the global tension in the wake of September 11, Benedict XVI first cultivated division and then unity. This has led to several disagreeable incidents which have almost jeopardised the Jewish-Christian dialogue. .. So also at Yad Vashem, in his passionate speech against racism and Holocaust denial, he prefered to avoid ... any of the self-criticism or reference to the part the Church played in creating the destruction of the 20th century with which his predecessor had made such a bold start."

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