In a global context increasingly marked by intolerance and hatred, Pope Francis underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue during the "All Religions' Conference" held at the Vatican on November 29-30. Addressing faith leaders and representatives, Pope highlighted the urgent need to combat discrimination based on differences and to foster unity through the sharing of spiritual truths and values among different faiths.

"The lack of respect for the noble teachings of religions is one of the causes of the troubled situation in which the world finds itself today," Pope remarked. The event, organized to commemorate the centenary of the all-religion conference initiated by the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, served as a platform to reflect on the spiritual and social contributions of Sree Narayana Guru.

Pope Francis paid tribute to Sree Narayana Guru, the Hindu spiritual guide and social reformer, for his lifelong commitment to social and religious upliftment. By opposing the caste system, Sree Narayana Guru championed the message that all human beings, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or cultural traditions, are part of one human family. Pope reiterated that discrimination in any form is unacceptable and called for a unified stand against such practices.

The conference, organized with the support of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, embraced the theme "Religions Together for a Better Humanity." Pope Francis described the theme as deeply relevant in today’s world, which he noted is plagued by rising intolerance, hatred, and violence. He lamented the increasing instances of discrimination and exclusion based on differences in ethnicity, social origin, race, language, and religion, affecting particularly the poor, defenceless, and voiceless.

Reflecting on the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed in 2019 with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Pope Francis emphasized the shared belief that God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties, and dignity. He called on religious leaders to promote love, honor, and respect for diversity in a spirit of fraternity and inclusion.

"As children of the one God, we must love and honor one another, respect diversity, and care for one another as well as for the Earth, our common home," he said, stressing that rediscovering these teachings is key to addressing global turmoil.

Pope expressed hope for collaboration among all people of goodwill to foster a culture rooted in respect, dignity, compassion, and fraternal solidarity. He highlighted the significance of the Joint Declaration of Istiqlal, issued in September, which advocates against the growing trends of individualism, exclusion, and violence.

By embracing shared values and maintaining respect for individual religious convictions, Pope Francis urged representatives of different faiths to "walk and work together to build a better humanity." He encouraged them to remain rooted in their beliefs while striving for harmonious coexistence, unity in diversity, and lasting peace.

The "All Religions' Conference" stands as a testament to the Vatican's commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration among faiths for a more inclusive and compassionate world.