Pope Francis calls for religious harmony and rejects fundamentalism

Pope Francis calls for religious harmony

Pope Francis delivered a message of inter-religious harmony during an event in Mongolia, quoting the Buddha and urging all religions to live peacefully and reject ideological fundamentalism. He shared the stage with representatives from various faiths, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding. The Pope's visit to Mongolia primarily aims to meet the country's small Catholic community and promote religious freedom. He also sent a subtle message to Beijing, highlighting the Vatican's apolitical stance. During the event, religious leaders representing diverse faiths blessed the Pope, reinforcing the message of unity and peace.

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Embracing religious diversity

Pope Francis stressed the need for religions to offer harmony to the world, emphasizing that technological progress alone cannot achieve this goal. He quoted the Buddha's teaching that "the wise man rejoices in giving," highlighting the similarity with Jesus' saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The Pope emphasized the importance of dialogue, condemning fundamentalism, ideological constraints, and unilateral imposition. He urged religions to avoid mixing beliefs with violence and sectarianism.

A message of unity and peace

While some conservative Catholics criticized the Pope's participation in such inter-religious gatherings, Pope Francis reiterated his commitment to ecumenical, inter-religious, and cultural dialogue. He clarified that dialogue does not mean overlooking differences but seeking understanding and enrichment. The Pope emphasized the destructive nature of fundamentalism and narrow-mindedness, calling for fraternity, reduced tensions, and enhanced peace. Representatives from various faiths, including Jewish and Shaman traditions, offered blessings to the Pope during the event, emphasizing unity and goodwill.

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Promoting religious freedom 

Pope Francis praised religious freedom in Mongolia, highlighting the country's history of repression during the Soviet Union's influence. His visit aims to support the small Catholic community in Mongolia and promote the Vatican's apolitical stance towards governments. The Pope's message encourages religious diversity and harmonious coexistence while rejecting violence and sectarianism.