When Jesus, during his time on earth, went from village to village preaching the Good News of truth and love, he caught the attention of those who listened to him. Unlike the Scribes, who were rejected because of their hypocrisy, we are told that the Lord amazed because "he taught them as one having authority" (Mk 1:22). Indeed, every human community needs, and therefore seeks, strong and inspiring leaders to guide others along a path of hope [...].
No one can be exempt from this process. Although no culture can use the damage done in the past as an excuse to avoid facing the difficulties of meeting the contemporary social needs of its people, it is also true that only through a willingness to accept historical truth is it possible to gain a healthy understanding of contemporary reality and adhere to the vision of a harmonious future [...].
Commitment to truth opens the way to lasting reconciliation through a healing process that involves asking for and granting forgiveness, two indispensable elements of peace. In this way, our memory is purified, our heart made serene and our future filled with a hope well founded on the peace that flows from truth.
[Pope Benedict, Letter for the 20th anniversary of John Paul II's visit to Australia, 22 September 2006]







