Benedict XVI, Apostolic Journey to Benin (November 18-20, 2011)

Meeting of His Holiness Benedict XVI with journalists during the flight to Benin 

(Papal Flight, 18 November 2011)

Q: Holy Father, this journey takes us to Benin, but it is a very important trip for the entire African continent. Why did you choose Benin as the country from which to launch your message for all of Africa, today and tomorrow?

A: There are several reasons. The first is that Benin is a country at peace, external and internal peace. Democratic institutions work, in a spirit of freedom and responsibility and thus justice and the common good are possible and guaranteed by a democratic system and a sense of responsibility in freedom. The second reason is that, as in most African countries, there is the presence of different religions and peaceful coexistence between these religions. There are Christians in their diversity, not always an easy one, there are Muslims, and then there are the traditional religions, and these different religions live together in mutual respect and common responsibility for peace, for inner and outer reconciliation. It seems to me that this coexistence of religions and interreligious dialogue as a factor of peace and freedom is an important aspect, just as it is an important part of the Apostolic Exhortation. Finally, the third reason is that this is the country of origin of my dear friend, Cardinal Bernardin Gantin: I have always wanted to one day be able to pray at his tomb. He really was a great friend of mine -- we'll talk about that at the end, perhaps -- and so a visit to the country of Cardinal Gantin, a great representative of Catholic Africa, civilized and human Africa is one of the personal reasons why I wanted to go to this country.