Pope Leo XIV extended his fraternal love to the interreligious leaders in Dhaka, praying for God’s blessing of “ever-deepening harmony and peace” upon Bangladesh and the world.
Newsroom (09/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s unwavering commitment to fostering peace through interreligious dialogue in a message delivered to the “Conference on Interreligious Dialogue and Harmony” in Dhaka, Bangladesh, held from September 6-12. The message, read by Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, underscored the Pope’s vision of a united human family striving for harmony under God.
Addressing the conference’s theme, “Promoting a Culture of Harmony between Brothers and Sisters,” Pope Leo XIV expressed heartfelt support for its mission, wishing participants a peace that is “unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering.” He emphasized that humanity, sharing a common origin and destiny, bears both the opportunity and responsibility to cultivate a culture of peace.
The Pope offered a dual perspective on the concept of “culture.” He described it as the rich tapestry of arts, ideas, and social institutions unique to each people, while also likening it to a nurturing environment that fosters growth. “Like gardeners,” he said, religious believers must cultivate this environment with “the sunlight of truth, the water of charity, and the soil of freedom and justice” to ensure harmony flourishes.
Reflecting on the challenges of distrust and suspicion that often divide cultures, Pope Leo warned that such “weeds of disharmony” can stifle peace. He praised interreligious dialogue as a vital tool for clearing prejudice and fostering fraternity, describing participants as “gardeners tending this field of fraternity.” The conference itself, he noted, stands as a “beautiful witness” that differences in faith or background need not be divisive.
The Pope highlighted the power of dialogue to unite diverse communities against hatred and violence. “Where others have sown distrust, we choose trust,” he declared. “Where others might foster fear, we strive for understanding; where others view differences as barriers, we recognize them as avenues of mutual enrichment.”
Beyond shared ideas, Pope Leo stressed the importance of shared experiences in building harmony. He commended interreligious communities in Bangladesh for their collaborative efforts in serving the vulnerable, particularly during natural disasters and tragedies. Such acts, he said, build bridges between faiths and communities, transforming suspicion into trust and isolation into collaboration.
Reaffirming the Catholic Church’s dedication to the path of peace, Pope Leo acknowledged that misunderstandings or historical wounds may pose challenges. Yet, he urged perseverance, noting that every discussion, joint service project, or act of kindness toward a neighbor of another faith lays the foundation for what Saint John Paul II called “a civilization of love.”
In closing, Pope Leo XIV extended his fraternal love to the interreligious leaders in Dhaka, praying for God’s blessing of “ever-deepening harmony and peace” upon Bangladesh and the world. His message resonates as a clarion call for unity, urging people of all faiths to walk together toward a shared dream of peace.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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