Zenit - VATICAN CITY - The dialogue between believers of various religions "is a providential gift for our time," but one that does not ignore real differences, John Paul II said in his message to the meeting on "Men and Religions," held in Lisbon this week.

In the message, addressed to over 1,000 religious, cultural, and political leaders gathered in the Portuguese capital, the pope referred to the meeting he convoked for peace, which gathered leaders of all religions in Assisi in 1986, and which was the origin of all the "Men and Religions" meetings organized since then every year by the St. Egidio Community (see http://www.santegidio.org).

"That event could not remain isolated," the Holy Father said. "In fact, it had an overwhelming force: It was like a spring from which new energies of peace emanated. Hence, I hoped that the 'spirit of Assisi' would not be extinguished, but that it would expand over the world inspiring new testimonies of peace and dialogue everywhere."

In particular, the Holy Father recalled a similar meeting organized by the St. Egidio Community in Romania in 1998, which opened the doors of an Orthodox country to a Bishop of Rome for the first time. A year later, the pope called for unity in Bucharest.

In today's message he stated: "That unity continues to be for us a priority commitment. We look with hope on the century that has just begun, because the long history of Christians, marked by numerous divisions, seems to be repairing, tending toward that source of its unity that is Jesus Christ."

"I am convinced that the 'spirit of Assisi' is a providential gift for our time," he continued. "In the diversity of religions, truly recognized as such, the fact of being with one another is even a visible manifestation of the human family's aspiration for unity. We must all walk toward this one goal."

The Bishop of Rome said the dialogue between religions today is not just "a wish," but "has become a reality, although we still have a long road ahead of us." The pope thanked God for progress made to date in relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism, which was especially evident during the Pontiff's recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

There are "significant fruits," he said, "on the way to meeting with Islam, the Eastern religions, and with the great cultures of the contemporary world."

He added: "At the beginning of the new millennium, we must not impede our steps; if anything, it is necessary to accelerate our steps in this promising way."

John Paul II explained to the leaders gathered in Portugal that "dialogue does not ignore the real differences, nor cancel the common condition of pilgrims toward new lands and new skies. Dialogue invites everyone to make stronger that friendship which does not separate or confuse.

"We must all be intrepid in this way, so that the men and women of our world, independently of the nation or religion to which they belong, may be able to recognize themselves as children of the one God, brothers and sisters among themselves."