Pope Asks Christians, Muslims to Cooperate

Pope John Paul II on Sunday urged cooperation and brotherhood between Christianity and Islam, two religions with ancient rivalries in Africa.

“Religious differences of themselves do not necessarily disrupt life together,” the Pope told leaders of the Muslim and other faiths in this East African nation.

John Paul said dialogue between Christians and Muslims “is increasingly important in today’s world.”

“Christians and Muslims in Tanzania can be partners in building a society shaped by the values taught by God: tolerance, justice, peace and concern for the poorest and weakest,” the Pope said.

Roman Catholicism and Islam, the world’s largest religions, have occasionally clashed over converts in Africa. The Vatican has expressed concern about the spread of Muslim fundamentalism in parts of the continent.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro said the Muslim community contributed financially to the papal visit. The nation’s Muslim president, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, and other prominent members of the faith attended the Pope’s open-air Mass earlier Sunday.

The Mass was held in a huge outdoor arena built primarily for political functions on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. Up to 100,000 people gathered for the ceremony, at which the Pope ordained 43 priests.

The Pope spoke in English but laced his homily with phrases in the native Swahili, drawing cheers from the crowd.