Witnesses of Mercy for Peace and Reconciliation

XI embarking on a path of dialogue which requires patience, self-discipline and generosity” ( Laudato Si’ , 201). May this be the path we take. May we reject the aim- less paths of disagreement and closed-mindedness. May it never happen again that the religions, because of the conduct of some of their followers, convey a distorted message, out of tune with that of mercy. Sadly, not a day passes that we do not hear of acts of violence, conflict, kidnapping, terrorist attacks, killings and destruction. It is horrible that at times, to justify such barbarism, the name of a religion or the name of God himself is invoked. May there be clear condemnation of these iniq- uitous attitudes that profane the name of God and sully the religious quest of mankind. May there instead be fostered everywhere the peaceful encounter of believers and genuine religious freedom. Here, our responsibility before God, humanity and the future is great; it calls for unremitting effort, without dissimulation. It is a call that challenges us, a path to be taken together, for the good of all, and with hope. May the religions be wombs of life , bearing the merciful love of God to a wounded and needy humanity; may they be  doors of hope  helping to penetrate the walls erected by pride and fear. © Copyright Osservatore Romano 2016. The above speech was delivered by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Interreligious Audience of the Extraor- dinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The participants of the KAICIID event in Rome were invited by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to attend this Inter- religious Audience. http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2016/ november/documents/papa-francesco_20161103_ udienza-interreligiosa.html HH Pope Francis with KAICIID Secretary General, HE Faisal Bin Muaammar, at the Interreligious Audience of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy INTRODUCT ION – WITNESSES OF MERCY FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIAT ION