Statement by the Holy See at the

Forum for Building Bridges Between East and West

New York, 14 June 2023

Excellencies,

The Holy See recognizes that “interreligious and intercultural dialogue […] cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is in fact a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends.”[1]

In today’s fragmented world, building bridges has become a compelling responsibility in order to foster peace and unity, so “that everyone can see in the other not an enemy […] but a brother or sister to be welcomed.”[2] This path to peace can benefit from interreligious dialogue based on mutual respect and the affirmation of faith. In this regard, interreligious dialogue has two interconnected purposes worth highlighting. 

First, it promotes mutual understanding among religions. Second, interreligious dialogue helps us to discover the values we have in common, making cooperation in support of the common good possible. 

Pope Francis identifies the positive relation between people of different religions and genuine dialogue anchored in the virtue of mercy, as a paradigm of social friendship. As he said, “communion amid disagreement, […] can only be achieved by those […] willing to go beyond the surface of the conflict and to see others in their deepest dignity.”[3]

May today’s Forum help us advance on that path towards a fraternal society rooted in authentic dialogue.

I thank you.

[1] Address of Pope Benedict XVI at the meeting with representatives of some Muslim communities, Cologne, 20 August 2005.

[2] Pope Francis, Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, 22 March 2013.

[3] Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 228.