The Pope at a New Interfaith Meeting for Peace

After praying with representatives of other Christian denominations in the Basilica of Santa-Maria-in-Aracœli, on Capitoline Hill, Francis went to the Campidoglio Square. There he met the other religious representatives, as well as the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

Everyone took the floor: Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Haïm Korsia, French rabbi, Mohammed Abdelsalam Abdellatif, Secretary General of the Superior Committee of Human Fraternity, who sent a message from the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, as well as Shoten Minegishi, representing the Buddhists.

In his speech, the Pope wanted to underline “the fruitful progress in the dialogue between religions,” the proof of which is the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyeb, in 2019. This is proof, he declared, that “believers have understood that the diversity of religions does not justify indifference or enmity. Better, from religious faith we can become peacemakers and not inert spectators of the evil of war and of hatred. Religions are at the service of peace and fraternity.”

This meeting, says Francis, “urges religious leaders and all believers to pray emphatically for peace, to never resign themselves to war, to act with the gentle strength of faith to end conflicts.” At the end of this meeting for peace, a call for peace from religious representatives was read.

On the occasion of the 2nd interreligious meeting in Assisi which took place on January 24, 2002, Bishop Bernard Fellay, then Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, published a press release in which he explained the reasons for legitimate indignation: “the syncretic nature of the operation is obvious to all…The establishment of civil (political) peace between nations by congresses, discussions, diplomacy, with the intervention of influential persons of different nations and religions, is one thing. It is another to claim to obtain the gift of peace from God by the prayer of all (false) religions. Such an initiative is completely inconsistent with the Catholic faith and goes against the First Commandment…One thing is certain: there is no better way to provoke the anger of God.”