By Charles Igwe
During a meeting with members of the Focolare Movement in Rome for an Interreligious Conference, Pope Francis underscored the crucial role of interreligious dialogue in achieving global peace. He began by expressing solidarity with Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, who was born in Israel to a Palestinian family. The Pope assured her of his prayers for her homeland, which he noted is “suffering so much at this time.”
Margaret Karram shared her interpretation of the Pope’s words, stating that he “prays for my land, where two peoples live and two peoples suffer.” This sentiment aligns with Pope Francis’s recognition of the Focolare Movement’s efforts to “foster unity with people of non-Christian religions who share the spirituality of unity.”
The Pope emphasized that this unity is “animated by the Holy Spirit, rooted in the heart of Christ, in his thirst for love, communion, and fraternity.” He highlighted the Spirit’s role in opening “paths of dialogue and encounter,” often leading to unexpected yet profound connections. One such example, he noted, occurred over fifty years ago in Algeria, where an all-Muslim community embracing the Focolare Movement emerged. This example, he said, showcases the enduring success of interreligious dialogue, as evidenced by the Movement’s current diverse participation.
Pope Francis then discussed the foundation of this experience, rooted in “the love of God expressed through mutual love, listening, trust, hospitality, and getting to know one another, all while fully respecting each other’s identities.” Over time, this approach has fostered friendship and cooperation, enabling joint efforts to address poverty, care for creation, and work towards peace.
He acknowledged that some non-Christian individuals have embraced the spirituality of the Focolare Movement, integrating its values within their own communities. This shared vision, he explained, transcends dialogue, fostering a sense of brotherhood and the dream of a more united world, harmonizing diversity.
Concluding his address, Pope Francis reminded attendees that their witness is “a source of joy and consolation, especially in this time of conflict, when religion is often misused to fuel division.” He firmly stated that “Interreligious Dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world.”
