Pope says steadfast and sincere dialogue helps overcome war

September 30,2013 - For peace what is need is a steadfast, patient, strong and intelligent dialogue for which nothing is lost. Dialogue can overcome war,” the Pope said on Monday. He was speaking to participants in an international meeting on peace, promoted by Rome-based lay Catholic group, the Community of Sant’Egidio. Commenting on the theme of their meeting, “The Courage of Hope: Religions and Cultures in Dialogue,” the Pope said in the world and in society there is little peace because there is no dialogue and one finds it difficult to come out of the narrow horizon of selfish interests and open oneself to the a true and sincere debate. Dialogue, he said, helps persons of different generations who often ignore each other, to live together. It makes citizens from different ethnic backgrounds and different beliefs live together. Hence dialogue is the path of peace because, the Pope said, it favours understanding, harmony, concord and peace. For this, the pope stressed, it is vital that dialogue grows and spreads among people of every condition and conviction like a network of peace that protects the world and the weak. (Source: Vatican)