Pope Francis Stresses the Need for Interfaith Dialogue to Combat Intolerance

Pope Francis, in his address to the participants of the “All Religions’ Conference” held in the Vatican on November 29-30, underscored the critical role of religious dialogue in today’s increasingly intolerant world. The conference, organized in collaboration with the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, commemorates a century of interfaith exchange with the theme “Religions Together for a Better Humanity.”

The Pope lamented the growing global intolerance and discrimination, calling them a daily experience for many. He urged religious communities to come together and promote the shared values of respect, love, and fraternity to address these challenges.

Paying tribute to the teachings of Hindu spiritual leader Sree Narayana Guru, Pope Francis highlighted his legacy of promoting social equality and dismantling the caste system. The Pope stressed that all people, regardless of their background, should be treated as equal members of the human family.

Sree Narayana Guru’s vision of an inclusive society was central to the Pope’s message. “Discrimination, in any form, has no place in a just and peaceful world,” Pope Francis declared.

Pope Francis pointed to the core tenets shared by all religions, particularly the call to love and respect one another. He referred to the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, which he signed in 2019, emphasizing that all human beings are created equal in dignity and rights.

“Religions teach us to care for one another, to respect our differences, and to honor each other as brothers and sisters,” he said. He further noted that the disregard for these teachings contributes to the turmoil in the world today.

In his speech, Pope Francis addressed the rising levels of discrimination, violence, and exclusion based on ethnic, social, and religious differences. He called for greater interfaith cooperation, emphasizing that such unity is essential for addressing global issues like inequality, conflict, and environmental degradation.

He also referenced the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal from September 2024, calling it a timely response to the growing trend of individualism and indifference in modern society.

Concluding his address, the Pope urged all religious leaders to remain firm in their beliefs while fostering unity among humanity. “By focusing on our shared values, we can build a better future for all,” he said.

The conference, attended by religious leaders from diverse faiths, reaffirmed the Pope’s call for peaceful coexistence, with participants committing to work together in spreading the message of love, respect, and mutual understanding.