In the January 23, 2004 issue of "The Word from Rome,1" John L. Allen, Jr. s weekly internet newsletter for the National Catholic Reporter, Allen recounts his experience of an "official" event in the spirit of Nostre Aetate.

    I attended the gala papal "Concert of Reconciliation" on Saturday evening, Jan. 17, featuring choirs from Krakow, Pittsburgh and Ankara performing an original piece of music dedicated to Abraham, father of the three monotheistic faiths, as well as Mahler's Second Symphony, the "Resurrection Symphony."

    Seated next to the pope were Rabbi Elio Toaff, emeritus chief rabbi of Rome and a friend of John Paul, as well as Abdulawahab Hussein Gomaa, imam of the Rome mosque. The images of the three religious leaders together underscored the evening's theme of reconciliation among the three monotheistic faiths. (For anyone who thinks this is cheap symbolism, let me point out that a Christian radio station in Pittsburgh accused the pope of asserting that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are equally valid paths of salvation, something John Paul did not say. But it illustrates the theological sensitivity surrounding inter-religious gatherings, a sensitivity that has its echoes inside the Vatican).

    In his remarks, the pope made a plea for understanding:

   "The history of relations among Jews, Christians and Muslims is characterized by lights and shadows," the pope said, "and unfortunately it has known painful moments. Today, we feel a pressing need of a sincere reconciliation among the believers in the one God."

    "Jews, Christians and Muslims cannot accept that the earth be afflicted by hate, that humanity be overwhelmed by wars without end," the pope said. "May God find in us the courage of peace."

    After the concert, the Knights of Columbus hosted a reception held, appropriately enough, at the Hotel Columbus on the Via delta Conciliazione, the broad avenue leading up to St. Peter's Square. Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with Judaism, who had introduced the concert, offered a brief greeting.

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1 http://nationalcarholicreporter.org/word/word012304.htm. Reprinted with the authors permission.

John L. Allen Jr. is the Vatican correspondent for National Catholic Reporter. "The Word From Rome" is available at www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word.