Pope Francis addressed participants at the 4th International Congress of the University Research Platform on Islam in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the importance of knowing others, listening, and intellectual flexibility for peace and human fraternity.
The theme, “Islam and Human Fraternity: The Impact and Prospects of the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Coexistence,” was discussed in light of the fifth anniversary of the joint Declaration on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.
PLURIEL, an academic platform, facilitates dialogue between scholars working on Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. The congress, with 57 speakers from 40 institutions globally, aims to evaluate the reception of the Abu Dhabi Declaration and explore changes needed for the global human fraternity.
Pope Francis identified the lack of knowing and understanding others, along with a failure to listen and a lack of intellectual flexibility, as the “root causes” of war and injustices. He acknowledged the challenges faced by global fraternity and coexistence.
“Peace without an education based on respect and understanding of others holds no value,” emphasized the Pope, highlighting the role of education in building mutual trust.
The Pope urged the Abu Dhabi Document to be a subject of research and reflection in educational institutions, shaping future generations committed to peace-building, justice, and advocacy for the rights of the marginalized.
“Creating spaces for different opinions is not a waste of time but a gain in humanity,” insisted Pope Francis, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives.
He underscored the importance of listening as a fundamental element of genuine dialogue, stating, “To debate, we must learn to listen, that is to be silent and slow down,” adding that creating spaces for different opinions is not a waste of time but a gain in humanity.
“Stay curious, cultivate flexibility, listen to the world, do not be afraid of this world, listen to your brother whom you did not choose but whom God placed next to you for you to learn to love,” urged the Pope, encouraging participants to embrace dialogue and flexibility.
The Pope concluded his message by urging participants not to let the dream of fraternity in peace remain confined to words.
“The dream of fraternity in peace must not remain confined to words,” declared Pope Francis, encouraging participants to embrace dialogue in all its richness. “Stay curious, cultivate flexibility, listen to the world, do not be afraid of this world, listen to your brother whom you did not choose but whom God placed next to you for you to learn to love.”
The four-day congress will explore three thematic areas: socio-legal, geopolitics, and theological-dialogical. These themes will examine human fraternity in multicultural societies, the role of religion in conflicts, and the theological reflections prompted by the Document on Human Fraternity.
