Pope Francis’ life is a testament to the power of faith in action

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Faith,

It is with profound sadness that Religions for Peace International acknowledges the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome. We extend our deepest condolences and join in mourning with the global Catholic community and to all those whose lives were touched by his extraordinary humility, love, compassion and leadership during his twelve years as Pope.

Pope Francis’ life was a testament to the power of faith in action, a beacon of hope in a world suffering from the wounds of war and by division. As he fraternally offered while hosting our delegation in the Vatican in 2017, “Peace remains an urgent task in today’s world, where so many peoples are scarred by war and conflict. Peace is both a divine gift and a human achievement.” He consistently emphasized the essential role of religions in building bridges, fostering understanding, and working tirelessly for peace.

His Holiness reminded us that “the religions, with their spiritual and moral resources, have a specific and unique role to play in building peace. They cannot be neutral, much less ambiguous, where peace is concerned”.

We at Religions for Peace are deeply grateful for Pope Francis’s unwavering support for interreligious cooperation, recognizing its crucial role in promoting justice, fraternity, disarmament, and care for creation.

His legacy will endure, inspiring us to continue striving for a world where peace is not merely an aspiration but a lived reality. We celebrate his life and his dedication to the unity of all people, and we commit ourselves to carrying forward his vision of interreligious dialogue, collaboration, and action for peace.

May God bless his soul and may his enduring legacy and commitment to peace, justice and love continue to inspire many leaders for future generations to come.

In peace,

Dr. Francis Kuria

Secretary General