Over the last three years of his papacy, Benedict XVI admits that he has made some mistakes when addressing other religions. He has referred to Islam as a religion based on old concepts attempting to spread in a new way: by violence. Quite ironic he should make reference to violent conversion when Christianity has had crusades and mass conversion camps.
What is encouraging though, is that the Pope is trying to call a meeting with Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu leaders. This falls in place of growing dialogue that the Catholic Church has supported for the last 20 or so years.
The view of the Catholic Church is that dialogue with other religions is necessary and helpful. Pope John II was well known for his advice to Catholics that they must be ready for conversion when taking part in dialogue. That just goes to show that he truly held that other religions could also hold truth.
Benedict could probably take a page out of John II's book. Perhaps with this step, there is a much brighter future for possible camaraderie between the Abrahamic religions and the Eastern religions.
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