“In the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together which I signed along with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, we stated that God “has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters” (Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019). All religions teach the fundamental truth that as children of one God we must love and honor one another, respect diversities and differences in a spirit of fraternity and inclusion, and take care of each other and the earth, our common home. Failure to follow the noble teachings of religions is one of the causes responsible for the troubled situation in which our world finds itself today. Our contemporaries will rediscover the value of the lofty teachings of religious traditions only if we all strive to live by them and to cultivate fraternal and friendly relationships with everyone, with the sole aim of strengthening unity amid diversity, ensuring harmonious coexistence amid differences, and being peacemakers despite the difficulties and challenges we are bound to face.”
“As followers of our respective religious traditions, we ought always to cooperate with all people of good will in promoting “a culture of respect, dignity, compassion, reconciliation and fraternal solidarity” (Joint Declaration of Istiqlal, 5 September 2024). In this way, we can help to defeat the culture of individualism, exclusion, indifference and violence that sadly is spreading. Drawing from the spiritual truths and values that we have in common, yet firmly rooted in and committed to our own religious beliefs and convictions, may we walk together and work together to build a better humanity!”
Address of Pope Francis to participants in the conference commemorating the centenary of the first “All religions conference” organized by Sree Narayana Guru in Rome on Saturday, 30 November 2024
