"New page on the dialogue between Christianity and Islam"

Vatican City (AICA):Pope Francis dedicated the general audience of this Wednesday to the outcome of his apostolic visit to the United Arab Emirates, a journey in which a new page was written in the history of the dialogue between Christianity and the world. Islam and in the commitment to promote peace in the world on the basis of human brotherhood.

Pope Francis dedicated this Wednesday's general audience to take stock of his apostolic visit to the United Arab Emirates, a journey to which he belongs to the surprises of God.

In recent days, I have traveled to the UAE. A short trip but very important. It is the first time that a pope goes to the peninsula of Arbiga. During this trip, I remembered St. Francis of Ass and his meeting with Sultan Al Kamil, who is now 800 years old, helped me to keep the gospel and the poor in mind at all times. my meetings, underline the pilgrims present at Paul VI in clbad.

In his catechesis, the Holy Father declared that it was a very important journey, in which a new page was written in the history of the dialogue between Christianity and Christianity. And in the commitment to promote peace in the world on the basis of: human fraternity

I thank the Crown Prince, the President, the Vice President and all the UAE authorities for receiving me with great courtesy. This country has grown a lot in recent decades: it has become a crossroads between East and West, in a multiethnic and multi-religious oasis and, therefore, in an ideal place to promote the culture of encounter, stress .

I express my deep gratitude to Msgr. Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic of South Arabia, who prepared and organized the event for the Catholic community and my gratitude extends affectionately to the priests to religious and laity who animate the Christian presence in this country. , I added it.

After private conversations with the Crown Prince and the Council of Ancient Muslims, the highlight of this trip was the interreligious meeting at the United Arab Emirates Founder's Memorial, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the presence of the authorities and the diplomatic corps . .

All the pope spoke after the heir prince and the great imn of Al Azhar and drew my attention to the value of the fraternity based on the common origin of God, from which stems the 39, inviolable dignity of each person. Therefore, it is impossible to justify an act of violence in the name of God which, in reality, offends it seriously and contradicts the spirit of religion. But how can we truly protect the human family as brothers and sisters? This is possible thanks to the courage of otherness, dialogue and prayer. Only the dove of peace can really fly, with both wings of education and justice.

In addition to the speeches, the Pope said, another step has been taken in Abu Dhabi: the Grand Imn of Al-Azhar and I have signed the Document on Human Fraternity, in which we affirm together the vocation common to all men and women As brothers as sons and daughters of God, we condemn all forms of violence, especially those that manifest themselves for religious reasons, and we commit ourselves to spreading authentic values ​​and to bring peace to the whole world.

At a time like ours, where there is a strong temptation to witness a conflict between Christian and Islamic civilizations and to regard religions as a source of conflict, we wanted to give another clear and decisive signal that the meeting is possible. , respect and dialogue between them and that, despite the diversity of cultures and traditions, the Christian world and the Islamic world recognize and protect common values: life, family, religious sense, the honor of the elderly, the Education of young people and others, pointed out.

The Holy Father pointed out that about one million Christians live in the United Arab Emirates: workers from several countries in Asia. He said: Yesterday morning, I met with a delegation of the Catholic community in St. Joseph Cathedral of Abu Dhabi. a very simple temple and then I celebrated for all were numerous! Eucharist in the stadium of the city, announcing the gospel of the beatitudes.

At Mbad, concelebrated with the patriarchs, the main archbishops and bishops present, we prayed in a special way for peace and justice, with particular intent for the Middle East and Yemen, stress.

Before finishing his catechesis, the Pope cordially greeted the Spanish-speaking pilgrims, especially the Spanish and Latin-American groups.

Thank the Lord for this moment of grace that has been the journey to the United Arab Emirates and pray that fraternity will grow among all believers in God, including among them and unbelievers, and all men of good will he asked.