Pope Benedict says politics and religion must be open to each other

Paris: Pope Benedict XVI urged Christians to make their voices heard in France and other countries that have strong traditions of secularism, saying on Friday that politics and religion must be open to each other.

The pope embarked on a four-day trip - his first to France as pontiff - that will take him from the presidential Elysee Palace to the Roman Catholic shrine in Lourdes.

Fanfare greetings

Benedict was greeted by President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, at a Paris airport, where a military band in plumed hats played a fanfare.

Later in Paris, the pope was to address a gathering including Muslim leaders on the second anniversary of a speech that heightened tensions with much of the Islamic world.

Traditionally Roman Catholic France is wrestling with its changing religious landscape, and how to reconcile it with the secularism that underpins the modern French Republic.

The country has a growing number of Muslims whose visible customs, such as wearing headscarves in public schools, have raised the hackles of officials determined to preserve the boundaries between church and state.

On the plane, Benedict expressed understanding for secular traditions, but added that, nonetheless, "Religion and politics must be open to each other. The presence of Christian values is fundamental for the survival of our nations and our societies," he said.

In a speech after talks with the pontiff at the Elysee Palace, Sarkozy promoted his idea of 'positive secularism' - upholding the separation of church and state, while considering religions as beneficial for society, and not as a danger.

The French president said positive secularism could allow for a dialogue "on the meaning we want to give to our existences."