Pope Pens Ramadan Greeting to Muslims: "We Are Called to Respect the Religion of the Other"

New Delhi (CBCI News): His Holiness Pope Francis in a personal message addressed to all the Muslims throughout the world, has sent his warm greetings for the feast of Id ul-Fitr. The Pope has said that though it is a tradition that on this occasion, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sends the message of good wishes, this year being the first of his Pontificate, he has decided to send the message by himself. Besides the personal greetings, the Pope reflects on this year’s theme: Promoting Mutual Respect through Education.

Pope Francis in his message emphasises that Muslims and Christians are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols and its values. The Pope exhorts the leaders of both religions to bring up the young people to think and speak respectfully of other religions and their followers and to avoid ridiculing or denigrating their convictions and practices. Pope concludes the Id ul-Fitr message by reiterating his hope that all Christians and Muslims will be true promoters of mutual respect and friendship, in particular through education.