Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 9 ] — OPENING CEREMONY — reference to these pillars. In fact, his message for the World Day of Peace in 2002 was titled No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness . Indeed, building peaceful coexistence among us requires that we also promote truth, justice, love and freedom. Truth enjoys a place of honour in all religions. The rec- ognition of this value by all believers and people of good will is important for peaceful relations among everyone. In this regard we are all called to promote a “culture of inclusivism”, as proposed by Pope Francis. We are called to be companions to every person on the journey towards truth. The affirmation of Vatican II in the Nostra Aetate declaration on the relation of the Catholic Church to other religions says: “The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.” Justice is a fundamental value for believers as well as for persons of good will not professing any religion. Fostering justice among individuals, communities and nations is of paramount importance. Peace cannot be built without jus- tice; this is why a just peace is a necessity. Love is one of the key core values in all religions, but it is particularly characteristic of Christianity which teaches that Peace cannot be built without justice; this is why a just peace is a necessity