I don't cling to earthly life because I believe in eternal life. That's the big distinction between my point of view and a purely secular position.

But I have to add - and this answers your other question - this catholicity in time and in space is only meaningful for me if there is, at the same time, a concentration on the Gospel.

After two world wars, the collapse of fascism, nazism, communism and colonialism and the end of the cold war, humanity has entered a new phase of its history.

I like the catholicity in time: our tradition is one of 2,000 years.

At the same time we are aware that our various religions and ethical traditions often offer very different bases for what is helpful and what is unhelpful for men and women, what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil.

All historical experience demonstrates the following: Our earth cannot be changed unless in the not too distant future an alteration in the consciousness of individuals is achieved.

There will be no peace among the nations without peace among the religions. There will be no peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions.