There was a turn. The Second Vatican Council also showed a positive attitude towards Muslims. Old tensions slowly subsided. There have been joint declarations condemning acts of violence, as was the case in Algeria. The true change occurred during the John Paul II’s pontificate. Bi-weekly newspaper “La Civiltà Cattolica” wrote: no other Pope in history has paid “so much attention” to relations with Muslims.
The experience gained during the apostolic journeys to Muslim countries played a decisive role here. The Holy Father has convinced himself that the Catholic Church should multiply its efforts to develop dialogue and cooperation with Islam. The entire world, he said, could benefit from the good relations between these two great religious traditions.
At the end of a long trip to Africa, in the spring of 1985, the Pope stopped in Morocco, where he was accepted in a unique way for a Muslim country. King Hassan II was personally interested in preparations, even decorating the altar himself. The peak moment, however, was a meeting with at least eighty thousand Islamic youths in Casablanca. A wonderful white spot covering the stadium and lawn. “We must respect ourselves” said John Paul II, and his sincerity won the hearts of those present.
With the consent of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “Testimony”.
TBA marketing communication Publishing House. Warsaw 2007
