Complete catechesis of Pope Francis during his recent apostolic journey to Abu Dhabi

Pope Francis made the point, this Wednesday, February 6, during the general audience held in the hall Paul VI, his recent apostolic trip to the United Arab Emirates.

The Holy Father emphasized the importance of the interreligious meeting that was held in Abu Dhabi on Monday, February 4, and the document on human brotherhood signed with the great Imam of Al-Azhar.

"At a time like ours, where the temptation to see a conflict between Christian civilization and Islamic civilization was strong, as well as to regard religions as sources of conflict, we wanted to offer a clear and decisive sign: on the contrary, it is possible to meet, it is possible to respect and to dialogue ".

Then, the complete text of the catechesis of Pope Francis:

Dear brothers and sisters, hello!

In the past few days I have been on a brief apostolic trip to the United Arab Emirates. A brief but very important journey that, as part of the 2017 meeting in Al Azhar, Egypt, has written a new page in the history of the dialogue between Christianity and Islam and the history of Christianity. commitment to promote peace in the world. on the basis of human fraternity.

For the first time, a pope went to the Arabian Peninsula. And Providence wanted it to be a pope named Francisco, 800 years after the visit of St. Francis of Assisi to Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil. I have often thought of San Francisco on this trip: it helped me to bring the Gospel into my heart, the love of Jesus Christ, while living the different moments of visit; In my heart was the Gospel of Christ, the prayer addressed to the Father for all his children, especially for the most destitute, for the victims of injustice, wars, misery … Prayer for the Dialogue between Christianity and Islam is a decisive factor for peace in the world today.

I send my sincere thanks to the Crown Prince, the President, the Vice President and all the authorities of the United Arab Emirates, who have received me with great courtesy. This country has grown a lot in recent decades: it has become a crossroads between East and West, in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious "oasis" and, consequently, in a place conducive to the promotion of the culture of culture. meet.

I express my gratitude to Archbishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Saudi Arabia, who prepared and organized the event for the Catholic community. My "gratitude" extends with affection to the priests, religious and laity who animate the Christian presence in this country.

I had the opportunity to greet the first priest – novel and so many years ago – who had gone there to found so many communities. He is blind in a wheelchair, but he does not lose his smile; the smile of having served the Lord and having done so much good.

I also greet another priest, still over 90, but he was still working. Very good! And so many priests who serve the Christian communities of the Latin rite, the Syro-Malabar rite, the Syro-Malankar, the Maronite rite, from Lebanon, India, the Philippines and other countries .

In addition to the speeches made in Abu Dhabi, one more step has been taken: the great Imam of Al Azhar and I signed the Document on Human Brotherhood, in which we affirm the common vocation of all men and women to to be brothers As sons and daughters of God, we condemn all forms of violence, especially those of religious motives, and commit ourselves to spreading authentic values ​​and peace throughout the world.

This document will be studied in schools and universities in several countries. But I also ask you, please, to read it, to know it, because it gives so many opportunities to move forward in the dialogue on human fraternity.

At a time like ours, where the temptation to witness a conflict between Christian and Islamic civilizations and to consider religions as a source of conflict is strong, we wanted to give a clear and decisive sign: The other On the one hand, it is possible to meet, respect and interact and despite the diversity of cultures and traditions, the Christian and Islamic world values ​​and protects the common values ​​of life, family, religious meaning. respect for the elderly, education of young people and many others.

In the United Arab Emirates, about a million Christians: workers from several Asian countries. Yesterday morning, I came across a representation of the Catholic community in cathedral from St. Joseph to Abu Dhabi, a very simple temple, and after this meeting, I celebrated for all, there were many! – They say that among those who were inside the stadium, which has a capacity of forty thousand people and those who were outside watching it on the screens, they reached one hundred and fifty thousand.

I celebrated the Eucharist in the city stadium by announcing the Gospel of the Beatitudes. In the mbadconcelebrated with the patriarchs, high-ranking archbishops and bishops present, we pray in a special way for peace and justice, with particular intent for the Middle East and Yemen.

Dear brothers and sisters, this trip is part of God's "surprises". Therefore, let us praise Him, as well as His providence, and pray that the scattered seeds bear fruit according to His sacred will.