By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“In a world increasingly marked by religious radicalization, division, and conflict, your common witness shows that it is possible to live and work together in peace and harmony, despite cultural and religious differences.”
Pope Leo XIV gave this encouragement to the delegation from the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA), headquartered in Kenya, a pan-African Christian organization founded in 1959 with the objective of building good relations between Christians and Muslims on the continent.
The Pope also thanked the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue for its service enabling the Church to advance in dialogue with followers of other religions and to promote peace and a spirit of fraternity among all.
Hearts open to encounter
Quoting the Declaration Nostra Aetate on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions, Pope Leo recalled that the Catholic Church calls for mutual understanding and respect for the followers of other religions, affirming that she “rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions,” for they “often reflect a ray of that truth, which enlightens all men and women.”
“Every authentic journey toward unity and communion undertaken by Christians and by people of good will,” the Pope said, “is the work of the Holy Spirit and requires hearts open to encounter and dialogue so as to embrace one another in genuine fraternity.”
Cooperating for the sake of the common good
He encouraged continued dialogue between the Programme and the Dicastery for the sake of the common good.
Through such efforts, the Pope observed, peace, justice, and hope will increasingly flourish in African societies and beyond.
“In a world increasingly marked by religious radicalization, division, and conflict,” he stressed, “your common witness shows that it is possible to live and work together in peace and harmony, despite cultural and religious differences.”
Voices denouncing violence and proclaiming peace
The Pope reiterated that religions bear a great responsibility “to help our people to break free from the chains of prejudice, anger, and hatred; to help them rise above egoism and self-centeredness; to help them overcome the greed that destroys both the human spirit and the earth.”
In this way, the Pope said, we can lead our people to become prophets of our time, with “voices that denounce violence and injustice, heal division, and proclaim peace for all our brothers and sisters.”
Pope Leo XIV concluded with an invitation for those present to go forward as artisans of peace, witnesses of hope, and builders of true fraternity. – Vatican News
