Pope Francis Calls for Unity at Centenary of Sree Narayana Guru’s All Religions’ Conference

Vatican City, November 30, 2024: Pope Francis emphasized the importance of interreligious dialogue and unity during his address to participants at the centenary celebration of the first "All Religions’ Conference," originally organized by the Indian spiritual leader and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. Taking place on November 29 and 30 at Clementine Hall in the Vatican, the event brought together religious leaders and followers from India and around the world to commemorate the historic conference under the theme, “Religions Together for a Better Humanity.”

Highlighting the event's significance, Pope Francis called attention to the urgent need to combat intolerance and discrimination, which he described as a "daily experience" for marginalized communities worldwide. He stressed that a failure to respect the core teachings of religious traditions has contributed to the social and moral challenges facing humanity today. “The lack of respect for the noble teachings of religions is one of the causes of the troubled situation in which the world finds itself,” he said.

Reflecting on the life and mission of Sree Narayana Guru, the Pope lauded the Hindu spiritual leader for his fight against the caste system and his message of equality, asserting that all humans are members of one family. "He dedicated his life to the promotion of social and religious upliftment, insisting there should be no discrimination in any form or at any level," Pope Francis noted.

The Holy Father drew parallels between Sree Narayana Guru’s teachings and the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, which he co-signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2019. Both messages advocate for equality, mutual respect and the rejection of violence, urging humanity to uphold dignity and fraternal solidarity.

“Religions teach us that, as children of one God, we must honour and love one another, respect diversity and care for our common home, the Earth,” the Pope said, reiterating that rediscovering these shared values is vital for global harmony.

In a call for action, Pope Francis encouraged all faith leaders and communities to collaborate in fostering a culture of inclusion and compassion, warning against the growing tide of individualism, indifference, and exclusion. He concluded by urging attendees to remain steadfast in their respective beliefs while working together to “build a better humanity.”

The event, supported by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, underscored the enduring relevance of Sree Narayana Guru’s vision of unity in diversity and the collective responsibility of all religions to promote peace and justice in a fractured world.

Courtesy: Vatican News