By LiCAS.news
AN international interfaith collective of women has expressed “deep respect and gratitude” for the late Pope Francis, honoring his legacy of compassion and his recognition of the “vital role” of women in religious life and society.
The message came from Women of Faith – An Interfaith Collective, a diverse group representing multiple faiths and nationalities—including many from Asia—who first gathered at the Vatican in January 2023 for the conference “Women Building a Culture of Interreligious Encounter.”
“Throughout his years of service, he has supported and affirmed the spiritual dignity, leadership, and wisdom of women in faith communities around the world,” the group said in a public statement. “Our interfaith collective is one example of this.”
The collective recalled the 2023 meeting with Pope Francis, during which he invited women to “rediscover the feminine aspects of your respective religious traditions.”
In his address, the pontiff emphasized that “the activity of encounter and the openness that it requires are becoming rare and its practice is one of the greatest gifts that you can offer to your families, your communities, and to society as a whole.”
He further encouraged them to “continue this important collaboration, sharing knowledge and practical experiences” to “offer assistance to many people, who seek material relief from suffering and even more a meaning and purpose in their lives,” while promoting “the dignity of women and especially girls.”
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