Pope Francis said that progressing through interreligious cooperation, reconciling people with each other and with the environment they live in, will help all societies live in peace and brotherhood and help protect nature.
Monsignor Joji Vadakara, Vatican City
Pope Francis said that cooperation between religions will help to live in brotherhood and peace. On Thursday, January 19, the Pope highlighted the importance of interfaith cooperation in society while receiving a group of people from Cambodia and representatives of the general public at the Vatican.
Referring to the theme of “Environmental Transformation” chosen by the Cambodian community for the meeting with the Pope, the Pope congratulated them and spoke about the convictions that everyone needs for the well-being of our common home, the Earth, and said that this community can contribute to the environment in their country by drawing inspiration from religious beliefs and spiritual traditions.
The Pope said that poverty and the lack of respect for the dignity of the marginalized are creating many difficulties these days and reminded us that we must strive to develop awareness of the weaknesses in our surroundings. Following in the path of his predecessors, the Pope stated that he exhorts through his sermons respect for others, for the created world, for himself and for the Creator, because he is convinced that it is our duty to take care of our common home, the Earth.
The Pope said that environmental transformation happens when we recognize the causes of the environmental crisis, reminding us that we must make this possible by reducing or stopping actions that injure and disrespect nature. Pope Francis said that when we see the suffering in the world as our own, we become aware of the events that we can give to the society in which we live.
Interreligious dialogue can help us understand what Buddhism and Christianity teach us to develop environmental responsibility, the Pope urged. By following the simple life taught by the Buddha and the call to do no harm to sentient beings, Buddhists can develop an attitude of compassion for all, including nature. The Pope said that Christians can also fulfill their environmental responsibility by protecting and caring for nature as a responsibility given to man by God.