As Pope Francis prepares to take part in an interfaith congress in Kazakhstan, Professor Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, says the Pope can help religious leaders map out ways of resolving and avoiding conflicts.
By Devin Watkins (this article was originally published in Vatican News)
“Pope Francis is a faith leader whom many others, even outside the Catholic community, tend to listen to and respect very highly.”
The Secretary General of Religions for Peace, Prof. Azza Karam, offered that insight into the Pope’s footprint in interreligious dialogue.
Prof. Karam spoke to Vatican News ahead of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan, on 13-15 September, which will see him participate in the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan.
Nearly 100 delegations are expected to attend from 60 nations, representing Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and other religions.
Pope a ‘spokesperson for peace’
Pope Francis will join religious leaders in seeking to plot a course for humanity’s renewal in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, amidst numerous wars and conflicts across the globe.
“Pope Francis has positioned himself by virtue of his speech and what he symbolizes to be, in some respects, the spokesperson of what peace should look like in people’s ordinary lives, but also on the level of government.”
Prof. Karam said the Pope’s various encyclicals and desire for interfaith fraternity have spoken “very powerfully” about how to embody peace and protection of the environment.
His Apostolic Visits have offered a concrete expression of closeness to people who are suffering, she added, pointing to his nearness to refugees and internally displaced peoples.
“He is seen as a religious leader who articulates the moral responsibilities and even clarifies what needs to be done in order to heal communities and to prevent conflict,” said Prof. Karam. “So, his role will continue to be to map out the how and why of resolving and avoiding conflicts, including of living more peacefully with ourselves as people of faith.”
Healing occurs when religions work together
The Congress in Nur-Sultan offers a unique chance for religious leaders to combine their efforts in promoting peace, since no single leader or institutions can do all the work of peace on their own, according to Prof. Karam.