Pope thanks participants in Assisi interfaith peace meet

(October 28, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday expressed hope that friendship, fraternity and dialogue among religions will continue to grow for the good of the entire human family. The Pope made the remark when he welcomed in the Vatican some 300 members of the delegations of the world’s religions who had participated in Thursday’s interfaith peace meeting in the central Italian town of Assisi. Entitled, the “Day of reflection, dialogue, and prayer for peace and justice in the world: Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace," the Oct. 27 interfaith peace meet was convoked by Pope Benedict to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first such meeting in Assisi hosted Blessed John Paul II in 1986. “In a certain sense, this gathering is representative of the billions of men and women throughout our world who are actively engaged in promoting justice and peace,” Pope Benedict said referring to Thursday’s meet. “It is also a sign of the friendship and fraternity which has flourished as the fruit of the efforts of so many pioneers in this kind of dialogue.” He wished this friendship continues to grow among all the followers of the world’s religions and with men and women of good will everywhere.” The Pope had a special word of thanks for four humanist participants who don’t associate themselves with any particular religion. “I express my gratitude also to those who represent people of good will who follow no religious tradition but are committed to the search for truth,” the Pope said. “They have been willing to share this pilgrimage with us as a sign of their desire to work together to build a better world.” The Pontiff noted that meetings of this sort “are a vivid expression of the fact that every day, throughout our world, people of different religious traditions live and work together in harmony.” “It is surely significant for the cause of peace that so many men and women, inspired by their deepest convictions, are committed to working for the good of the human family.” The Pope noted that the Assisi meet has demonstrated their genuine desire to contribute to the good of all their fellow human beings and how much they have to share with one another. After meeting the Pope, members of the delegations were invited to a lunch hosted by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.