In an address to the European Parliament’s Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Sept. 29, Pope Leo XIV said that dialogue is an important part of the work Christian politicians must undertake.
“Promoting dialogue between cultures and religions is a key objective for a Christian politician, and thanks be to God there is no shortage of people who have given good witness in this regard,” he told the members of the group.
“Being men and women of dialogue means remaining deeply rooted in the Gospel and in the values that flow from it,” he continued, “and, at the same time, cultivating openness, listening and dialogue with those who come from other backgrounds, always placing the human person, human dignity, and our relational and communal nature at the center.”
Genuine dialogue also helps reinforce the true nature of religion, the Pope emphasized.
“Participation in interreligious dialogue, by its nature, recognizes that religion is of value both on a personal level and in the social sphere,” Pope Leo said. “The word religion itself refers to the notion of connection as an original element of humanity. Therefore, when authentic and well cultivated, the religious dimension can greatly enhance interpersonal relationships and help people to live in community and society. And how important it is today to emphasize the value and the importance of human relationships!”
The Pope also said that Europe needs people who will live out what he called a “healthy secularism.”
“European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism, that is, a style of thinking and acting that affirms the value of religion while preserving the distinction — not separation or confusion — from the political sphere,” he told the working group.
The Pope pointed to Catholics Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer and Alcide De Gasperi — each members of the Christian Democracy movement in the 20th century — as examples of public figures who practiced such a healthy secularism.
The Holy Father concluded by thanking the members of the working group for their efforts promoting dialogue, and he asked God’s blessing upon them and their work.
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