Pope on other religions: "We have a common origin and a common path". Pope forgets the name of the founder of the Catholic Church, Jesus Christ.

Pope on other religions: "We have a common origin and a common path".

Francis is touring Buddhist Mongolia. There are few Christians here. The Pope uses the trip to share his thoughts on other religions. And thus puts the letter of his two predecessors "Dominus Iesus" into perspective.

Pope Francis has called on the world's religions to engage in dialogue. The Catholic Church firmly believes in dialogue, the Pope said on Sunday in Mongolia before representatives of other religions. This is not in contradiction to the proclamation. "It does not level out differences, but helps to understand them," Francis continued. "We have a common origin that gives equal dignity to all, and a common path that we can only walk together, since we dwell under one and the same heaven that enlightens and envelops us."

World torn by strife

The world is torn by strife and discord, Francis said. If the leaders of nations chose the path of dialogue, it would be a decisive contribution to ending the conflicts. Religions had the task of giving the world a harmony that technical progress alone could not provide. If humanity is only focused on earthly interests, it will end up ruining the earth, as conflicts, environmental destruction, persecution and the rejection of human life show.

The Pope warned against mixing faith and violence, holiness and coercion, and the path of faith and sectarianism. Seclusion, fundamentalism and ideological coercion ruined fraternity and endangered peace. Believers, however, are called to work for harmony among all people.

Common goal: the well-being of humanity

Before the Pope, representatives of other religions and Christian churches gave short speeches. The world religions are different in their philosophy and world view, said Abbot Khamba Nomun Khan Gabju Choijamts Demberel, head of a Buddhist centre in Mongolia. Nevertheless, he said, there is a common goal: the well-being of humanity.

The leader of the only Russian Orthodox Church in Mongolia, Antony Gusev, reported on the history and current situation of his congregation in the neighbouring Russian country. Representatives of Shamanism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism, the Bahai and Christian churches also addressed the Pope.

Francis is the first Pope to visit Mongolia. On Saturday, he made an impressive appeal for peace in the country between China and Russia. The programme also includes a mass and the inauguration of a social centre. The four-day trip will end on Monday. 

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