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To mark the 25th anniversary of the 1986 meet of leaders belonging to different faiths, Pope Benedict XVI has invited Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims for a pilgrimage in Assisi.
However, unlike in the 1986 edition, the leaders won't take part in common prayers.
Twenty-five years ago they were invited by Pope John Paul II for a daylong prayer for peace. Then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had been critical of common prayers and disapproved of leaders of all faiths praying together. This time they will be allowed personal time for individual prayer one after another post lunch.
Around 300 participants are expected to attend.
According to an AP report, Pope Benedict XVI held a pre-trip prayer service for Christians at the Vatican on
Wednesday.
AP quoted Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, who helped organise Thursday's event as head of the Vatican's justice and peace office, as saying the "real" prayer for peace commemorating John Paul's 1986 meeting was Wednesday's vigil service inside the Vatican. "The emphasis is on pilgrimage rather than on praying together," Turkson told reporters last week.
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