“It is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.” Pope Francis
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis.
His loss is felt not only by the global Catholic community but also by people of all faiths and backgrounds who were inspired by his example of compassion, humility, and a commitment to justice and peace.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis showed a deep commitment to the values at the heart of URI’s purpose—interfaith cooperation, ending violence, and building a more just and peaceful world. His voice was a beacon of unity in times of division, and he worked tirelessly to build bridges between people of different religions and beliefs, and advocated for the most vulnerable among us.
Even before he was elected to the Papacy, Pope Francis was already a beacon of light for interfaith cooperation. As Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio he was appreciative of URI’s initiatives and the inclusiveness of URI s approach so much that he opened the Cathedral to the Interfaith Celebration on occasion of Bishop Swing’s visit to Argentina on the 10th Anniversary of the first URI meeting in Latin America.
For the first time ever the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires had an indigenous man to speak from the altar. Pope Francis also demonstrated his commitment to interfaith dialogue with the signing the Document on Human Fraternity with Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb and by routinely meeting with religious leaders across traditions. He will alway serve as a reminder that people of all faiths can – and must – work together for peace and for our shared humanity.
Pope Francis was also a global leader in environmental justice. His encyclical Laudato Si’ called on people everywhere to care for our common home and take action against the climate crisis, framing it as a moral responsibility that concerns us all.
He spoke out for the dignity and rights of women, encouraging greater inclusion and leadership of women in church and society, and raising awareness of the violence and inequality many women face around the world.
Pope Francis also advocated for the rights of Indigenous communities around the world. In a recent message to participants in a UN meeting on Indigenous peoples, he emphasized that Indigenous peoples have the right to preserve their identity and natural resources.
This aligns with URI’s strong commitment to protect indigenous peoples’ rights to live and thrive in accordance with their traditions.
Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader who brought warmth, honesty, and moral courage to the global stage. His legacy and his deep commitment to interfaith dialogue and understanding will continue to inspire our work for peace, justice, and cooperation across all lines of difference.
We join the world in both mourning the death of Pope Francis and thanking God for his loving heart. We who carry an interfaith instinct for peace among religions, thank God for his generous spirit and wide embrace. Bishop Swing
