Pope: visit to the Emirates 'new page in the history of relations between religions'
Video message to the "Dear People of the United Arab Emirates". Faith in God "unites and does not divide, brings people closer despite their differences, and distances us from hostility and aversion.”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "I am happy to be able to visit your country in a few days", Pope Francis says in a video message to the "Dear People of the United Arab Emirates". His impending visit to that country will write "a new page of the history of relations between religions showing "that faith in God "unites and does not divide, brings people closer despite their differences, and distances us from hostility and aversion.”
Ahead of his departure - next Sunday - Francis defines the United Arab Emirates, a "land that seeks to be a model of coexistence, of human brotherhood and encounter between different civilizations and cultures, where many find a safe place to work and live freely , respecting diversity".
A people "that lives the present with an eye to the future". "With good reason, Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, of honored memory, declared: "True wealth lies not only in material resources, but the true wealth of the nation lies in the people who build the future of their nation ... True wealth is mankind".
"I am happy that the Lord has given me this opportunity to write, on your dear land, a new page in the history of relations between religions, confirming that we are brothers and sisters even though different.
Francis thanks the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for the invitation to "participate in the interreligious meeting on the theme 'Human Brotherhood'", which will be held on Monday afternoon at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi.
The journey’s theme is taken from the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace", the Pope also says he is "grateful" to the other authorities of the United Arab Emirates "For the excellent collaboration, the generous hospitality and the fraternal welcome nobly offered to realize" the visit.
"With joy - he concludes - I am going to meet and greet" eyal Zayid fi dar Zayid / the sons of Zayid in the house of Zayid ", land of prosperity and peace, land of sun and harmony, land of coexistence and encounter!".
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