by Dario Salvi

This morning, Pope Francis received the Burmese opposition leader in audience. Vatican spokesman emphasizes "consensus" on key issues such as the "culture of encounter". Msgr. Charles Bo confirms profound "esteem" of the Burmese Catholics for the "Lady", who has “key role" in interreligious dialogue.

Rome ( AsiaNews) - Deep "consensus" on key issues such as "the culture of encounter" and interfaith dialogue: this is how Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi described this morning's meeting between Pope Francis and the democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The audience was held in private in the Papal Library and the director of the Press Office of the Holy See spoke of a "cordial meeting" and " great harmony " between the Pope and the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize winner, whom he described as "a figure of great authority and importance in the Asian world". The Pope expressed "his appreciation" said Fr . Lombardi , for the lady's commitment in the development of democracy in her nation, "ensuring the Church's commitment to this cause," without discrimination , because "the Church is at the service of all."

During the press conference with Italian Foreign Minister, the leader of the National League for Democracy declined to comment on her audience with Pope Francis, who prays for Myanmar and appreciates the "Lady's" contribution to democracy and peace. "The Holy Father - said Suu Kyi - told me that emotions such as hatred and fear diminish the life and value of the people", so "we have to enhance love and understanding to improve the lives of peoples."

Today's meeting between Pope Francis and Aung San Suu Kyi is a reason for joy and satisfaction among Burmese Catholics. This is confirmed by the Archbishop of Yangon Msgr. Charles Bo, who says that the "Lady" plays a leading role "in the context of interreligious dialogue and "calming violence" between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar. Today's meeting, said the prelate, is a source of "strength and guidance" for the Burmese leader.

Aung San Suu Kyi arrived for the first time in Italy yesterday, in the context of a European tour during which she finally received the Sakharov Prize that was awarded to her 23 years ago in Strasbourg. Last night in Rome's city hall, Suu Kyi was awarded honorary Roman citizenship - which she was originally awarded in 1994 - and the Rome Peace Prize - awarded in 2007. In both cases, the Nobel Laureate was under house arrest by order of the military dictatorship in Burma , in power until the end of 2010.

Commenting to AsiaNews about the meeting between Pope Francis and the Nobel Laureate , the Archbishop of Yangon pointed out that "for both the event is a source of enthusiasm and encouragement." The prelate said the deep "humanity" of the Argentine Pope is an element "of strength and guidance" for the NLD leaders. "Meeting the Pope , a popular and beloved religious leader - he adds - will further strengthen the reputation and popularity of Aung San Suu Kyi", who participated in the celebrations for the centenary of Saint Mary's Cathedral Yangon in December 2011.

Msgr . Charles Bo affirms that the "Lady " plays " a major role in interreligious dialogue "and her work is essential to "calming the violence between Buddhists and Muslims" in Myanmar , but Aung San Suu Kyi at the moment is still "reticent to make statements of any kind" in this regards . " I think both [ Buddhist and Muslim ] fronts - says the prelate - each have their own rights and legitimate concerns . You can only make general comments and refrain from taking net positions in the matter" . And this is even more true about the "civil war" between the government army and ethnic Kachin militias , in the homonymous state in northern Myanmar , along the border with China. "Everyone has their own reasons, not to seek a permanent ceasefire ."

Aung San Suu Kyi - who has spent 15 of the last 22 years under house arrest for her fight against the brutal dictatorship imposed by the Burmese military junta - remains a point of reference for the people of Myanmar , regardless of the religion they profess. " Like most of the country, the Burmese Catholics , priests, men and women religious , lay people and bishops also have great respect for her and support her". After going through a "dark tunnel 50 years long" dotted with repression and violence, now "a new dawn has arisen and she is the only credible person, to date, for the leadership of the country," adds the prelate. "I do not have a lot of faith or confidence - Msgr. Bo confides - in the former army generals. But, since the situation is still uncertain, full of challenges and opportunities, we must be very careful. And move with extreme caution".

 

 

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