Summary of Pope Francis’ address at the closing of the Seventh Conference of Leaders of Global and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, September 15.
Monsignor Joji Vadakara, Vatican City
The Pope began his homily by thanking all those who came together for mutual dialogue in their efforts for peace, motivated by the values of different cultures and faiths. Apart from the covid pandemic, we are going through a senseless war situation and we can’t go on indifferently amidst so much hate, division, lost debates and lost understandings.
Messengers of peace and harmony
The Pope highlighted that he has taken as the theme of his apostolic visit “messengers of peace and unity” in the plural. The Pope recalled that the Day of Prayer for World Peace, convened by Pope Saint John Paul II after the attacks of September 11, 2001, is a model for the current conference.
Religious teaching and mutual respect
All forms of extremism, terrorism, calls to hatred, calls to war and violence are not only incompatible with true religious thought, but must be categorically rejected. Mutual respect and recognition should be an integral part of every religious teaching.
brotherhood
Those who do not love creatures cannot acknowledge or acknowledge the Creator. Religions are common to all
Spiritual and moral legacies are to be witnessed. The dignity of all human beings, created in the image of God, should be recognized and respected by all. A society is created by all human beings.
Peace, Women, Youth
The Pope highlighted three words that were part of the declarations of the Conference of World and Traditional Religions.
Peace is the dream of every heart and the goal of our life’s journey. Peace is something that is much needed in today’s world, which is suffering from wars and conflicts. Peace is not just the absence of war. Nor is it the balance of world power. Rather, peace is the result of justice.
The concept of woman is closely associated with the idea of peace. They are a source of sustenance and life and a path to peace. The Pope emphasized that women should be valued for their place in society and given opportunities to hold higher and more responsible positions.
Youth have a special calling to be messengers of peace and harmony in today’s world. Young people are the next generation who want more peace and demand for the protection and care of our common home, the Earth. The youth should be properly guided and given opportunities for further education and responsibility.
Conclusion
The Pope asked everyone, especially religious leaders, to preserve the memories of the past and to walk with an open mind to the days of tomorrow. In this sense, the Pope said, the people of Kazakhstan are an example for us, moving towards the future with an open mind, embracing different religions and cultures, even though they have a past of hardships. Reminding us that as sons of heaven we must advance together, we must become spokesmen of unity and good hopes, the Pope wished us all to become heralds of peace and unity.