Pope Leo XIV receives the Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue, an initiative of the European Parliament, insisting that ‘European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism,’ and reaffirming that ‘being men and women of dialogue means remaining deeply rooted in the Gospel and in the values that flow from it.’
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism, that is, a style of thinking and acting that affirms the value of religion while preserving the distinction — not separation or confusion — from the political sphere.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed this when greeting on Monday in the Vatican the ‘Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue,’ an initiative of the European Parliament.
The Pope began by thanking them for the initiative and expressing his hope that it would bear much fruit.
“Promoting dialogue between cultures and religions is a key objective for a Christian politician, and thanks be to God there is no shortage of people who have given good witness in this regard.”
Pope Leo XIV addresses the Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue (@Vatican Media)
Deeply rooted in Gospel and Gospel values
Being men and women of dialogue, he underscored, means remaining deeply rooted in the Gospel and in the values that flow from it and, at the same time, cultivating openness, listening and dialogue with those who come from other backgrounds,
He said this necessitates “always placing the human person, human dignity, and our relational and communal nature at the center.”
Participation in interreligious dialogue, by its nature, he went on to say, recognizes that religion is of value both on a personal level and in the social sphere, recalling that the word ‘religion’ itself “refers to the notion of connection as an original element of humanity.”
Therefore, he stressed, when authentic and well-cultivated, the religious dimension can greatly enhance interpersonal relationships and help people to live in community and society.
“And how important it is today,” the Holy Father underscored, “to emphasize the value and importance of human relationships!”
Affirming religion’s value while preserving appropriate distinction from politics
With this in mind, he suggested, “European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism, that is, a style of thinking and acting that affirms the value of religion while preserving the distinction — not separation or confusion — from the political sphere,” as he brought to mind examples of Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer and Alcide De Gasperi.
Pope Leo XIV concluded by thanking them for the work they do to promote dialogue among, and respect for, all people, and imparting God’s blessing upon them and their work.
Pope Leo XIV receives members of the Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican (@Vatican Media)
