I am happy to be here with you today in this Co-Cathedral, where the Christian community in Jerusalem has gathered since the earliest days of the Church.

I assure you of my desire to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between the Holy See, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and Jewish people throughout the world.

Every culture with its inner capacity to give and receive gives expression to the one human nature.

Here at the Dome of the Rock the paths of the world's three great monotheistic religions meet, reminding us what they share in common.

I welcome you to the holy city of Jerusalem, the spiritual center of all nations on earth, and the eternal capital of Israel.