Pope Francis on International Day of Human Fraternity "Men and women of different religions walk towards God along paths that increasingly intertwine." FULL TEXT
Text of the video message that the Holy Father Francis sent on the occasion of the III International Day of Human Fraternity, which occurs today 4 February, broadcast during the award ceremony of the 2023 Zayed Prize inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity:
Video message from the Holy Father
Dear sisters and dear brothers, good morning!
I greet with affection and esteem the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayyeb with whom, exactly four years ago in Abu Dhabi, I signed the Document on human fraternity for world peace and common coexistence.
I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for his commitment in favor of the path of brotherhood; the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity for initiatives promoted in various parts of the world; and I also thank the United Nations General Assembly because, with the resolution of December 2020, it established February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity. I am also pleased to join the commendable initiative of awarding the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity 2023.
In sharing feelings of brotherhood for one another, we are called to promote a culture of peace that encourages dialogue, mutual understanding, solidarity, sustainable development and inclusion. We all carry in our hearts the desire to live as brothers, in mutual help and in harmony. The fact that this often does not occur - and unfortunately we have dramatic signs of this - should stimulate even more the search for brotherhood.
It is true that religions do not have the political strength to impose peace, but by transforming man from within, inviting him to detach himself from evil, they guide him towards an attitude of peace. Religions therefore have a decisive responsibility in the coexistence of peoples: their dialogue weaves a peaceful plot, rejects the temptation to tear apart the civil fabric and frees from the exploitation of religious differences for political ends. The task of religions is also important in recalling that man's destiny goes beyond earthly goods and is situated on a universal horizon, because every human person is a creature of God, we all come from God and we all return to God.
Religions, in order to place themselves at the service of brotherhood, need to dialogue with each other, to get to know each other, to enrich each other and above all to deepen what unites and collaboration for the good of all.
The different religious traditions, each drawing from its own spiritual heritage, can make a great contribution to the service of the fraternity. If we are able to demonstrate that it is possible to live the difference in fraternity, we will be able little by little to free ourselves from fear and mistrust towards the other who is different from me. Cultivating diversity and harmonizing differences is not a simple process, but it is the only way capable of guaranteeing solid and lasting peace, it is a commitment that requires us to strengthen our ability to dialogue with others.
Men and women of different religions walk towards God along paths that increasingly intertwine. Every meeting can be an opportunity to oppose each other or, with God's help, to encourage each other to go forward as brothers and sisters. Indeed, we share not only a common origin and ancestry, but also a common destiny, that of fragile and vulnerable creatures, as the historical period we are living in clearly shows us.
Dear brothers and dear sisters,
we are aware that the path of brotherhood is a long and difficult path. Against the many conflicts, against the shadows of a closed world, let us oppose the sign of brotherhood! It urges us to welcome the other and respect their identity, it inspires us to work in the belief that it is possible to live in harmony and peace.
I thank all those who will join our path of brotherhood, and I encourage them to commit themselves to the cause of peace and to respond to the concrete problems and needs of the least, the poor, the defenceless, those who need our help.
And in this direction goes the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity. Thank you very much, thank you very much for your session with this year's prize, which was awarded to the community of Sant'Egidio and Mrs. Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil. Thank you so much for your work, for your testimony.
And to all of you, dear brothers and sisters, my greetings and my blessing.
Video message from the Holy Father
Dear sisters and dear brothers, good morning!
I greet with affection and esteem the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayyeb with whom, exactly four years ago in Abu Dhabi, I signed the Document on human fraternity for world peace and common coexistence.
I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for his commitment in favor of the path of brotherhood; the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity for initiatives promoted in various parts of the world; and I also thank the United Nations General Assembly because, with the resolution of December 2020, it established February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity. I am also pleased to join the commendable initiative of awarding the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity 2023.
In sharing feelings of brotherhood for one another, we are called to promote a culture of peace that encourages dialogue, mutual understanding, solidarity, sustainable development and inclusion. We all carry in our hearts the desire to live as brothers, in mutual help and in harmony. The fact that this often does not occur - and unfortunately we have dramatic signs of this - should stimulate even more the search for brotherhood.
It is true that religions do not have the political strength to impose peace, but by transforming man from within, inviting him to detach himself from evil, they guide him towards an attitude of peace. Religions therefore have a decisive responsibility in the coexistence of peoples: their dialogue weaves a peaceful plot, rejects the temptation to tear apart the civil fabric and frees from the exploitation of religious differences for political ends. The task of religions is also important in recalling that man's destiny goes beyond earthly goods and is situated on a universal horizon, because every human person is a creature of God, we all come from God and we all return to God.
Religions, in order to place themselves at the service of brotherhood, need to dialogue with each other, to get to know each other, to enrich each other and above all to deepen what unites and collaboration for the good of all.
The different religious traditions, each drawing from its own spiritual heritage, can make a great contribution to the service of the fraternity. If we are able to demonstrate that it is possible to live the difference in fraternity, we will be able little by little to free ourselves from fear and mistrust towards the other who is different from me. Cultivating diversity and harmonizing differences is not a simple process, but it is the only way capable of guaranteeing solid and lasting peace, it is a commitment that requires us to strengthen our ability to dialogue with others.
Men and women of different religions walk towards God along paths that increasingly intertwine. Every meeting can be an opportunity to oppose each other or, with God's help, to encourage each other to go forward as brothers and sisters. Indeed, we share not only a common origin and ancestry, but also a common destiny, that of fragile and vulnerable creatures, as the historical period we are living in clearly shows us.
Dear brothers and dear sisters,
we are aware that the path of brotherhood is a long and difficult path. Against the many conflicts, against the shadows of a closed world, let us oppose the sign of brotherhood! It urges us to welcome the other and respect their identity, it inspires us to work in the belief that it is possible to live in harmony and peace.
I thank all those who will join our path of brotherhood, and I encourage them to commit themselves to the cause of peace and to respond to the concrete problems and needs of the least, the poor, the defenceless, those who need our help.
And in this direction goes the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity. Thank you very much, thank you very much for your session with this year's prize, which was awarded to the community of Sant'Egidio and Mrs. Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil. Thank you so much for your work, for your testimony.
And to all of you, dear brothers and sisters, my greetings and my blessing.
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