With an unexpected phone call to the diocese of Milan early this morning, Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, who arrived in Milan yesterday, expressed the desire to visit the city’s cathedral, the online international magazine of the Jesuits “Popoli.info” reported. The request was immediately accepted and the Dalai Lama was welcomed by the archpriest of Milan, Msg. Luigi Manganini, and by vice-archpriest Mgr. Giordano Ronchi (Card. Angelo Scola was not in the city). During his visit to the Ambrosian cathedral, the Dalai Lama paused in front of the main altar. There he was told about the architectural features of the religious building and about the meaning of stained glass windows and light in the Gothic style. At the end of the explanation, the Tibetan leader presented the archpriest with a white scarf, the Kata, asking him to lay it down on the altar. The Kata is an auspicious symbol. “We have welcomed the Dalai Lama – Mgr. Manganini explained at the end of the visit -, in a spirit of interreligious dialogue, of which the Dalai Lama is a strong supporter. In fact, apart from some small groups of extremists, Buddhism has always been open to dialogue with other faiths. The presence of the Dalai Lama at numerous meetings organized first by John Paul II and then by Benedict XVI clearly demonstrates it. Today at 2.30pm – before one of the conferences the Dalai Lama will hold at the Assago Forum – the Buddhist spiritual leader will meet the vicar general of the diocese of Milan, Mgr. Mario Delpini, who will greet him on behalf of Card. Angelo Scola.

27/06/2012 -