ACCEPT CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF ALL

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II received this morning the Letters of Credence presented by the new ambassador of the ex-Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, Ivan Angelov.

In his speech to the diplomat, the Pope recalled that the country had suffered in the past "painful trials", but the national authorities "confronted these difficulties with care."

In the face of hatred among people, "we must depart from the heart in order to eradicate such feelings and transform them into a spirit of fraternity and openness towards others, building upon what unifies us, not what divides us. In fact, a society that really desires to be civil and contribute to the progress of people must cultivate in all of its members an objective and impartial understanding of others."

"An understanding of this type," he continued, "has inestimable value, helping others to accept cultural and religious traditions that differ from their own. This is the first step toward reconciliation, given that respect for diversity is an indispensable condition for a genuine relationship between individuals and groups. An ethno-centric culture, even when pretending to resolve problems that are on the table, only exacerbates difficulties and extends previous divisions."

The Holy Father underlined that "the requirements of justice demand that, every time a mistake or wrong is committed, it be recognized, and corrected as much as possible. But human justice finds its ultimate foundation in the law of God and in His plan of salvation for humanity."

"Yes," concluded the Pope, "true peace is the fruit of justice. ... This must be the broad context for diverse priorities - in the long tradition of tolerance and respect for the diverse ethnic groups to which you, Mr. Ambassador, have made reference -that the government pursues, while it makes every effort to introduce a new era of peace and stability for the nation."

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