Pope Francis proposes ecumenism in the face of the instrumentalization of religion

Pope Francis received today at the Vatican the members of the Focolare Movement, characterized by its vocation to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, who are participating these days in an interreligious conference.

The Holy Father defined the work of this movement, which also works with non-Christian people who share “the spirituality of unity,” as a “revolutionary path that does so much good for the Church.”

For the Pontiff, this is an experience “animated by the Holy Spirit” and rooted “in the heart of Christ.”

He also recalled that in recent years Muslim communities have joined this movement, following in the footsteps of its founder, Chiara Lubich, who met “with leaders of various religions such as Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs and others.” .

According to Pope Francis, this is “a dialogue that has developed to this day” and he stressed that “the foundation on which this experience rests is the Love of God that is realized in mutual love, listening, trust, acceptance and knowledge of the other, in full respect of our respective identities.”

Furthermore, he specified that over time “friendship and collaboration have grown in the attempt to respond together to the cry of the poor, in the care of creation, in the work for peace.”

He also stressed that with those who are not Christians “we go beyond dialogue, we feel like brothers and sisters, we share the dream of a more united world, in the harmony of diversity.”

He expressed that his testimony “is a reason for joy, it is a reason for consolation, especially in this time of conflict, in which religion is often instrumentalized to fuel confrontation.”

“Interreligious dialogue, on the contrary, is a necessary condition for peace in the world and, therefore, a duty for Christians, as for other religious communities,” he concluded.