The leader of the Adam Mosque sent in this message: “It’s very sad news about the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. It’s a great loss—please accept our condolences. The world will miss him. He was a great, humble person. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy, and know that the Muslim community in Birmingham stands beside you in this time of mourning and reflection.”
Likewise, a leader from the Shia community wrote: “Sincerest and deepest condolences for the passing away of Pope Francis (r.a.). May the beautiful contributions he (r.a.) made to peace, understanding, and unity throughout the world continue to bear fruit, and may he (r.a.) be resting in peace and comfort, God willing. May God’s guidance be with those who will decide his successor.” (Note: (r.a.) meaning Radhe Allaho-ann, ‘May Allah be pleased with him’)
From the Dialogue Society, this message was received: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis and pay tribute to his lifelong dedication to dialogue, compassion, and peace. His dedication to serving humanity and his sincere engagement in interreligious conversations have left a lasting impact, inspiring countless individuals to build bridges of understanding and respect.”
Echoing the words of Mahant Swami Maharaj, a leader in the local Hindu community expressed: “Pope Francis will be remembered as a beacon of hope, compassion, and unity. His efforts to promote social justice, environmental stewardship, and peace-building have left an indelible mark. His commitment to the marginalised and his call for global solidarity resonated deeply with the values we hold dear in our own tradition.”
The pinnacle of Francis’ teachings on dialogue with people of all faiths and none is expressed in the concept of social friendship, beautifully developed in the 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti. In this letter, Pope Francis defines social friendship as “a love that transcends borders.” This is at the heart of the Columban interfaith efforts.
