May 11, 2009. Almost three years ago, Israeli sergeant Gilad Shalid was taken kidnapped by Hamas. Today, his parents asked Benedict XVI to help them recover their son.

They asked him for a gesture, be it public or private, during his visit to Bethlehem this Wednesday.

The meeting between Sgt. Shalid’s parents and the Pope happened in Jerusalem during the Pope’s official meeting with Israeli president Shimon Peres.

Shimon Peres
President of Israel
"Ties of reconciliation and understanding are now being woven between the Holy See and the Jewish people. We cherish this process and your leadership. Our door is open to similar efforts with the Muslim world."

Benedicto XVI
"Security is a matter of trust, nurtured in justice and integrity, and sealed through the conversion of hearts which stirs us to look the other in the eye, and to recognize the "Thou", as my equal, my brother, my sister."

The president showed the Pope a new strand of wheat fittingly named “Benedict XVI.” He also had the Pope try a fruit called “fig of Nazareth” and thanked him for his words on the Holocaust.

Mr. Peres, who has a passion for nanotechnology, gave the Pope a microchip with the entire content of the Bible.

JMB/RSS