From al Azhar to Dharamsala, world religious leaders express sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis
For Grand Imam al-Tayeb, who signed the Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity with Francis in 2019, “The world has lost a humanitarian icon”. Shia Ayatollah Al-Sistani, whom he met in Iraq in 2021, praises the pontiff for upholding “the values of harmony among people”. From his exile in India, the Dalai Lama highlights Francis’s “simple but meaningful life". The president of the World Jewish Congress and a Bahá'í leader remember the Holy Father.
Rome (AsiaNews) – As pontiff, i.e. a builder of bridges, Pope Francis wove ties with the world’s religions during the 12 years of his pontificate, meeting leaders and visiting countries where Christians are a visible minority, speaking out against “proselytising” in the Church.
His never-ending commitment to interfaith dialogue culminated in important initiatives, such as the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb in 2019.
Until his last moment, Pope Francis worked for “brotherhood among peoples" and for peace, as his spiritual testament says, to which he dedicated the suffering and illness he experienced "in the final part of my life.”
Amid the intense atmosphere of mourning, many religious leaders have extended their condolences for the death of the pontiff, through messages addressed to the Vatican Secretariat of State or in communiqués.
“Today, the world has lost a humanitarian icon of the highest caliber,” writes Gran Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb. “His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, [. . .] dedicated his life to serving humanity, championing the causes of the weak, refugees, and the oppressed, and supporting dialogue and understanding between different religions and cultures. He loved Muslims and was dedicated to spreading peace. His last statements were in defense of Palestine and the oppressed people of Gaza.”
Particularly touching are the words of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s highest Shia religious leader, who met Pope Francis during the pontiff’s historic visit to the Mideast country in 2021, devastated by the violence of the Islamic State group.
The Shia leader notes in a statement addressed to the Vatican Secretary of State, Card Pietro Parolin, that the meeting “was an exceptionally significant occasion, in which both parties affirmed the fundamental role of faith in God Almighty and His messages, and the commitment to lofty moral values in overcoming the major challenges facing humanity in the current times.”
In the text, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani says he feels “deep sorrow” for the news of the death of Pope Francis, which came after weeks of illness and 38 days of hospitalisation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The Holy Father “held a prominent spiritual standing among many peoples around the world and was greatly respected by all, due to his distinguished role in advancing the causes of peace and tolerance, and in expressing solidarity with the oppressed and persecuted [peoples] across various regions of the globe.”
The statement notes that the pope made great efforts “to uphold the values of harmony among people, based on safeguarding rights and mutual respect among the followers of different religions and intellectual orientations.”
In the message, Sayyid Ali al-Sistani “offers his condolences and sadness to the followers of the Catholic Church around the world for this painful loss.” He “also wishes them patience and solace, and earnestly supplicates to God, the Almighty and Most High, to bestow upon them and all humanity, goodness, blessings, and peace.”
The president of the World Jewish Congress, President Ronald S. Lauder, remembers Francis’s friendship towards Jewish people since the years he lived in Argentina.
“While there were moments of difficulty, particularly in recent months, I remain deeply appreciative of his warmth, humility and unwavering dedication to meaningful engagement between faith communities,” Lauder writes on X.
“On behalf of the World Jewish Congress and the more than 100 Jewish communities around the globe, I extend my deepest condolences to all those who were touched by his remarkable spirit. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration to us all.”
The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, also issued a message of condolence. The two leaders never met.
From his exile in India, the Dalai Lama wrote to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio, expressing his sadness on learning that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away, offering his prayers and condolences to his spiritual brothers, sisters and to his followers around the world.
The pontiff “dedicated himself to the service of others,” the Buddhist leader added, “consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. “
A memorial service was held at the Tsuglagkhang temple, the main Tibetan temple in Dharamsala (India).
Dr A. K. Merchant, a Bahá'í and general secretary of the Temple of Understanding India Foundation, a New Delhi-based organisation, also expressed his condolences in a statement.
“We had all hoped that Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 after his recent prolonged illness and recovery would continue to guide the multitudes of his devotees and the masses of humankind,” reads the press release, “but God Almighty has taken him away from our midst to the heavens above.”
“[I]t is hard to find words that are befitting to express our heartfelt condolences for an exalted spiritual personage,” said Dr A. K. Merchant, conscious of the pope’s “profound love for all of God’s children and the nations of the world, his deep commitment for the betterment of the world and the peace among the generality of humankind.”
In particular, he says that the “documents on synodality opened wide the doors of the Catholic Church to all rediscover Jesus Christ in an Age of turmoil and immense suffering afflicting billions throughout the planet and all other living creatures.”
(Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)
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30/07/2023 14:46
