On Human History and Coming Together
If you look back at human history from the time of the Stone Age and mobile clans to ancient empires to feudalism to the rise of nation states to leaving our home planet and exploring the solar system, we’ve continually organized ourselves on ever-larger system levels – economically, politically, socially and beyond.  

On the Global Outlook
So the way I see it, whether you like it or not, we’re moving more and more toward an interdependent world. There’s already a global economy and global telecommunications and we’re facing lots of issues that require people to come together to solve problems like arms control, pollution, energy, and world hunger. So as we move toward this global community the question is not whether it’s happening, but can we steer this in a positive manner for everyone.  

On Religion’s Role
I think on a much deeper level, human beings are maybe the only species that knows it will die, so that somehow makes us seek some form of immortality – whether that’s by leaving contributions to the world, having children, or having faith that there’s some afterlife. In earlier times, people grew up in different parts of the world and their culture and religion were all they knew and thus, their only “Truth.” But now, it’s hard not to acknowledge that many different cultures and religions exist, which are all important and meaningful to different peoples around the world.  

On the Second Axial Age
Some scholars say we’re in what they’re calling the Second Axial Age of the world’s religions. Instead of focusing only on differences when people come together from different religions, people are coming together to also seek similarities and common ground for the human family, as reflected in many interfaith declarations.  

On Increasing Understanding, Not Necessarily Agreeing
The challenge we’re all facing is how to keep our own cultural-religious traditions alive while still encountering the great diversity of other people’s cultural-religious traditions. In terms of interfaith dialogue, that means there are a few principles that everyone must subscribe to: do not try to create one world religion, do no try to convert others, let people speak for themselves and from their own experience, listen to others, and develop a greater understanding while also recognizing that the goal is not total agreement. 

On the Golden Rule and Other Similarities
I’ve looked at many religions and all of them have some similarities: Every religion seems to support peace – whatever that definition of peace might be; they all support the Golden Rule (treat others like you would like to be treated); they all seek to bring greater light into the world; and they all deal with some version of the afterlife.  

On Pope Benedict XVI’s Past
In 2000, when he was the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican, he said that other religions were deficient. That did not go over well with people of other faith traditions and people of the interfaith community. He also did not support Turkey’s attempt to join the primarily Christian European Union as a Muslim country. And he’s been ultra-conservative on a number of other issues too: the roles for women, including as priests; possibilities of priests marrying; dealing with pedophilia within the priesthood; and dealing with gays. 

On Pope Benedict XVI’s Future
During his Installation however, he made some efforts to reach out to Jews and other Christians – though he did not mention Muslims – and said he was committed to ecumenism (when leaders of different religions come together to work together). He seems to be moving beyond some of his past positions and genuinely trying to connect with people. He also seems to be a humble man. There’s no question he’s got a reputation that some have problems with but I think he should be given a chance to evolve his views, now that he’s occupying this new position as pope instead of his past role of defending the faith. 

On Moving Forward
It seems to me that we may take one step backward but then we’ll take a few steps forward. Certainly, though, our increasing global interdependence is a fact of life. The bottom line question is how are we going to live on this planet together while also embracing our differences. It’s my personal commitment to do my small part to figure out how we can do that better.