Pope: dialogue between religions and cultures is important for Jerusalem 'at this time’

Message from Francis to the international conference dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the Custody of the Holy Land. "Following the example of Saint Francis, spread friendship, solidarity and peace everywhere".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The importance of "dialogue between cultures and religions in the promotion of peace" at a "delicate moment in the life of the city of Jerusalem, symbolic for all of peaceful coexistence between peoples and different religions" was underlined by Pope Francis in a message at the international conference dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, which ends today in Assisi.

In the document, signed by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father urges participants  "following the example of Saint Francis”, to “spread friendship, solidarity and peace everywhere".

Francis also invites them to "a true service to the life and dignity of the person", taking into account the diversity of cultures and religious traditions of "human and spiritual riches" present in this particular place which need "to be welcomed with respect".

The conference is promoted by the Observatory on religious minorities in the world and respect for religious freedom of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and by the Vatican Foundation "Centro Internazionale Famiglia di Nazareth" and sees the collaboration of the different expressions of the Franciscan Family.

• Vatican
• Jerusalem
• Holy Land
• Franciscan Custody
• Dialogue