(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday urged representatives of different religions to foster a peaceful encounter of believers and genuine religious freedom.
Speaking to some 200 people gathered in the Vatican for an interreligious audience, Pope Francis reflected on the soon- to-end Year of Mercy saying that mercy extends also to the world around us, “to our common home, which we are called to protect and preserve from unbridled and rapacious consumption”.
He pointed out that in today’s hectic and forgetful world we need the oxygen of gratuitous and life-giving love: “We thirst for mercy and no technology can quench that thirst. We seek a love that endures beyond momentary pleasures, a safe harbour where we can end our restless wanderings, an infinite embrace that forgives and reconciles”.
He told those present that common commitment is needed “for an education to sobriety and to respect, to a more simple and orderly way of life”.
Above all, the Pope urged all religions to join in embarking on a path of dialogue, rejecting the aimless paths of disagreement and closed-mindedness.
He appealed to never let it happen again that religions, because of the conduct of some of their followers, convey a distorted message that is out of tune with that of mercy.
“Sadly, not a day passes that we do not hear of acts of violence, conflict, kidnapping, terrorist attacks, killings and destruction. It is horrible that at times, to justify such barbarism, the name of a religion or the name of God himself is invoked. May there be clear condemnation of these iniquitous attitudes that profane the name of God and sully the religious quest of mankind” he said.
Pope Francis concluded his message calling for the peaceful encounter of believers and genuine religious freedom: “Here, our responsibility before God, humanity and the future is great; it calls for unremitting effort, without dissimulation. It is a call that challenges us, a path to be taken together, for the good of all, and with hope”.
Please find below the full text of Pope Francis’ address to Representatives of Different Religions:
Dear Friends,
I offer you a warm welcome. I am pleased to meet you and I thank you for accepting this invitation to reflect together on the theme of mercy.
As you are well aware, we are approaching the end of the Holy Year, in which the Catholic Church has pondered the heart of the Christian message from the viewpoint of mercy. For us, mercy reveals the name of God; it is “the very foundation of the Church’s life” (Misericordiae Vultus, 10). It is also the key to understanding the mystery of man, of that humanity which, today too, is in great need of forgiveness and peace.
Yet the mystery of mercy is not to be celebrated in words alone, but above all by deeds, by a truly merciful way of life marked by disinterested love, fraternal service and sincere sharing. The Church increasingly desires to adopt this way of life, also as part of her “duty to foster unity and charity” among all men and women (Nostra Aetate, 1). The religions are likewise called to this way of life, in order to be, particularly in our own day, messengers of peace and builders of communion, and to proclaim, in opposition to all those who sow conflict, division and intolerance, that ours is a time of fraternity. That is why it is important for us to seek occasions of encounter, an encounter which, while avoiding a superficial syncretism, “makes us more open to dialogue, the better to know and understand one another; eliminates every form of closed-mindedness and disrespect; and drives out every form of violence and discrimination” (Misericordiae Vultus, 23). This is pleasing to God and constitutes an urgent task, responding not only to today’s needs but above all to the summons to love which is the soul of all authentic religion.
The theme of mercy is familiar to many religious and cultural traditions, where compassion and nonviolence are essential elements pointing to the way of life; in the words of an ancient proverb: “death is hard and stiff; life is soft and supple” (Tao-Te-Ching, 76). To bow down with compassionate love before the weak and needy is part of the authentic spirit of religion, which rejects the temptation to resort to force, refuses to barter human lives and sees others as brothers and sisters, and never mere statistics. To draw near to all those living in situations that call for our concern, such as sickness, disability, poverty, injustice and the aftermath of conflicts and migrations: this is a summons rising from the heart of every genuine religious tradition. It is the echo of the divine voice heard in the conscience of every person, calling him or her to reject selfishness and to be open. Open to the Other above us, who knocks on the door of our heart, and open to the other at our side, who knocks at the door of our home, asking for attention and assistance.
The very word “mercy” is a summons to an open and compassionate heart. It comes from the Latin world misericordia, which evokes a heart – cor – sensitive to suffering, but especially to those who suffer, a heart that overcomes indifference because it shares in the sufferings of others. In the Semitic languages, like Arabic and Hebrew, the root RHM, which also expresses God’s mercy, has to do with a mother’s womb, the deepest source of human love, the feelings of a mother for the child to whom she will give birth.
In this regard, the prophet Isaiah conveys a magnificent message, which, on God’s part, is both a promise of love and a challenge: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even through she may forget, yet I will never forget you” (Is 49:15). All too often, sad to say, we forget, our hearts grow heedless and indifferent. We distance ourselves from God, our neighbour and even our historical memory, and we end up repeating, in even more cruel forms, tragic errors of the past.
This is the drama of evil, of the grim depths to which our freedom can plunge when tempted by evil, ever-present, waiting to strike and bring us down. Yet precisely here, before the great riddle of evil that tests every religious experience, we find the most amazing aspect of merciful love. That love does not leave us prey to evil or to our own frailty; it does not “forget”, but “remembers”, and draws near to every human misery in order to relieve it. Like a mother. Whatever the evil done by her child, a mother always sees past the sin to recognize the face she bore in her womb.
In today’s ever more hectic and forgetful word, which leaves so many men and women behind as it races on, breathlessly and aimlessly, we need the oxygen of this gratuitous and life-giving love. We thirst for mercy and no technology can quench that thirst. We seek a love that endures beyond momentary pleasures, a safe harbour where we can end our restless wanderings, an infinite embrace that forgives and reconciles.
How important this is, when we consider today’s widespread fear that it is impossible to be forgiven, rehabilitated and redeemed from our weaknesses. For us Catholics, among the most meaningful rites of the Holy Year is that of walking with humility and trust through the door – the Holy Door – to find ourselves fully reconciled by the mercy of God, who forgives our trespasses. But this demands that we too forgive those who trespass against us (cf. Mt 6:12), the brothers and sisters who have offended us. We receive God’s forgiveness in order to share it with others.
Forgiveness is surely the greatest gift we can give to others, because it is the most costly. Yet at the same time, it is what makes us most like God.
Mercy extends also to the world around us, to our common home, which we are called to protect and preserve from unbridled and rapacious consumption. Our commitment is needed for an education to sobriety and to respect, to a more simple and orderly way of life, in which the resources of creation are used with wisdom and moderation, with concern for humanity as a whole and coming generations, not simply the interests of our particular group and the benefits of the present moment. Today in particular, “the gravity of the ecological crisis demands that we all look to the common good, embarking on a path of dialogue which requires patience, self-discipline and generosity” (Laudato Si’, 201).
May this be the path we take. May we reject the aimless paths of disagreement and closed-mindedness. May it never happen again that the religions, because of the conduct of some of their followers, convey a distorted message, out of tune with that of mercy. Sadly, not a day passes that we do not hear of acts of violence, conflict, kidnapping, terrorist attacks, killings and destruction. It is horrible that at times, to justify such barbarism, the name of a religion or the name of God himself is invoked. May there be clear condemnation of these iniquitous attitudes that profane the name of God and sully the religious quest of mankind. May there instead be fostered everywhere the peaceful encounter of believers and genuine religious freedom. Here, our responsibility before God, humanity and the future is great; it calls for unremitting effort, without dissimulation. It is a call that challenges us, a path to be taken together, for the good of all, and with hope. May the religions be wombs of life, bearing the merciful love of God to a wounded and needy humanity; may they be doors of hope helping to penetrate the walls erected by pride and fear.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, told the UN General Assembly the “human rights of every individual, rooted in the innate dignity of the human person, are inviolable, without distinction.”
The Vatican diplomat was speaking during a committee discussion on ‘Elimination Of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia And Related Intolerance.’
“This is not only a founding principle of the United Nations Charter and affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: it is also enshrined in human experience, and represents an enduring truth that we must not only recognize when convenient but at all times,” Archbishop Auza said.
The full statement can be found below
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
Seventy-first Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Third Committee Agenda Item 66: Elimination Of Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia And Related Intolerance
Madam Chair,
Last year marked fifty years since the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. At the time, it was a landmark adoption, signaling the conviction of the international community that racism of any kind cannot be tolerated. However, as we look at the world today, especially in the context of global migration and displacement, we must admit that much of the progress on eliminating racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia is in serious risk of being eroded, sometimes intentionally.
In this regard, my delegation welcomes the recent report of the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in which he outlines in stark detail the threat that the spread of extremist political parties, movements and groups in many parts of the world pose to the realization of the peaceful, just and inclusive societies that the Member States of the United Nations have committed themselves to realizing through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants.
It is, in particular, a grave cause for concern that, according to the report, there has been a marked increase in the number of racist and xenophobic incidents of violence, especially in the public sphere. This resurgence, in many instances politically motivated, seems to be driven by fear of the other, in particular, the fear in front of our responsibility to care for the marginalized and vulnerable, for those in desperate need of our compassion and solidarity.
This year alone, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) calculates that, even with still two months left in the calendar year, the number of deaths of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean has already reached a record high. Despite a significant decrease in the number of people seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, the UNHCR reported that 3,740 lives have already been lost in 2016, just short of the 3,771 reported for the whole of 2015
Madam Chair,
Migrant or resident, human dignity is not negotiable or determined by national laws. The human rights of every individual, rooted in the innate dignity of the human person, are inviolable, without distinction. This is not only a founding principle of the United Nations Charter and affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: it is also enshrined in human experience, and represents an enduring truth that we must not only recognize when convenient but at all times. As Pope Francis reminds us, “from this perspective, it is important to view migrants not only on the basis of their status as regular or irregular, but above all as people whose dignity is to be protected and who are capable of contributing to progress and the general welfare. This is especially the case when they responsibly assume their obligations towards those who receive them, gratefully respecting the material and spiritual heritage of the host country, obeying its laws and helping with its needs.”
Madam Chair,
Alarmed by today’s many manifestations of racial discrimination and other forms of intolerance, the whole human family must reaffirm once more its common determination to fight all forms of discrimination and intolerance as contrary to the dignity and equality inherent in all human beings, and remain resolute to adopt all necessary measures to eliminate them in all their forms and manifestations.
Thank you, Madam Chair
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Following his returned to the Vatican on Wednesday evening, Pope Francis telephoned the Archbishop of Spoleto-Norcia, Renato Boccardo, to express his closeness to the people of the Valnerina valley, which is formed by the Nera River, and flows from the Marche region of Italy through the region of Umbria. The valley was the area most affected by the recent earthquakes of 26 and 30 October.
The Archbishop was in Norcia for the visit of the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella. He was touring the areas most damaged by the earthquakes.
Archbishop Boccardo said he explained to the Holy Father “the difficulties and the fear of people who are homeless or insecure, in these two months of earthquakes and great loss of the heritage of faith and art located in our valley.”
He added that Pope Francis assured him of his prayers and blessings for the people affected.
“The Pope also said he was saddened by the collapse of so many sacred buildings, symbols of faith and identity of the people,” Archbishop Boccardo said.
The Archbishop said the entire diocesan Church of Spoleto-Norcia is grateful to the Pope for this additional show of support for the people of the Valnerina valley, after the visit the Holy Father made to San Pellegrino on 4 October, following the earthquake of 24 August, which killed 298 people.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis travelled to the Roman cemetery of Prima Porta, where he offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the liturgical commemoration of All Souls’ Day.
Listen to Christopher Wells’ report:
Thousands of people joined the Holy Father as he prayed for the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed. Arriving at the cemetery, Pope Francis visited a mausoleum and laid flowers at several tombs, while praying silently.
In his homily for the Mass, which he delivered off the cuff, the Holy Father reflected on the words of Job: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” The commemoration of the dead, he explained, fills us both with sorrow, a sense of sadness, and with hope. “A cemetery is sad because it reminds us of our loved ones who have died, it reminds us of our future, death.” But, he continued, “in this sadness, we bring flowers as a sign of hope; even, I could say, of a festival – but later, not now.”
This hope, Pope Francis said, can help us, because we too must make the same journey, from this life to the next. The hope in the Resurrection does not disappoint.
In fact it is Jesus Himself who first took this journey; we walk along the path He has trod. “With His Cross,” Pope Francis said, Jesus “has opened the gate of salvation, where we will contemplate God.”
The Flaminio Cemetery in Prima Porta, where Pope Francis said the All Souls’ Day Mass is the largest cemetery in Rome.
Following the ceremony, on his return to the Vatican, Pope Francis was scheduled to visit St Peter’s Basilica for a private prayer for his deceased predecessors in the Petrine office.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) On his return from his Apostolic Voyage to Sweden, Pope Francis visited Saint Mary Major, where he gave thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Salus populi Romani, for the successful outcome of his journey.
The Papal Basilica of St Mary Major is the largest church in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Francis has made it his custom to visit the Basilica before and after his travels to various parts of the world.
(from Vatican Radio)…