Pope Francis urged participants of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity to champion global unity and peace amidst ongoing conflicts.
The event, organized by the Fratelli Tutti Foundation, gathered attendees from around the world to promote principles of fraternity, compassion, and mutual respect.
Pope Francis highlighted the importance of rejecting war and embracing peace, urging the global community to recognize their shared humanity.
“You have come together with the intention of reaffirming your ‘no’ to war and ‘yes’ to peace,” the Pope said, “bearing witness to the humanity that unites us and makes us recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters.”
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., the Pope noted the lack of progress in fostering human coexistence despite technological advancements. “We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.”
The pontiff stressed the need for compassion as a key element of human fraternity. He referenced the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel, showing how compassion transcends cultural and historical differences.
“One became a brother to the other the moment he allowed himself to be guided by the compassion he felt for him,” he said.
The meeting also featured working groups presenting proposals to civil society, focusing on the dignity of the human person and crafting policies rooted in fraternity.
Pope Francis expressed his support for these initiatives, advocating for a “Charter of Humanity” that incorporates both rights and practical behaviors that enhance human dignity.
Addressing the presence of Nobel Laureates, Pope Francis commended their efforts in drafting the Declaration on Human Fraternity and reconstructing a “grammar of humanity.”
He encouraged them to continue promoting the spirituality of fraternity and the role of multilateral diplomacy.
“War is a deception – war is always a defeat,” he said. He called for a return to recognizing common humanity and placing fraternity at the center of human coexistence to ensure lasting peace.
“Political peace needs peace of hearts,” the Pope said. He expressed hope and encouragement, especially for the young people who would share an embrace in the evening.
“Let us look at them and learn from them,” he said, referring to the teachings of the Gospel. He urged everyone to make this embrace a commitment in their lives and a prophetic gesture of love.
