Pope Francis hopes int'l community to help with Karabakh issue
By Trend
The world, unfortunately, is experiencing the tragedy of many conflicts fuelled by intolerance, which in turn is fomented by violent ideologies and by the effective denial of the rights of the weakest, Pope Francis said.
The Pope made the remarks delivering a speech at the Heydar
Aliyev Center in Baku.
"In order to effectively oppose these dangerous deviations, we need
to promote a culture of peace, which is fostered by an untiring
willingness for dialogue and by the awareness that there is no
reasonable alternative to patiently and assiduously searching for
shared solutions by means of committed and sustained negotiations,"
he said.
He went on to add that just as within a country’s borders it is
necessary to promote harmony among the various sectors, so too
between states it is necessary to persevere wisely and courageously
on the path which leads to authentic progress and the freedom of
peoples, opening up new avenues that lead to lasting agreements and
peace.
"In this way, peoples will be spared grave suffering and painful
wounds, which are difficult to heal," Pope Francis said.
"Mindful also of this country, I wish to express my heartfelt
closeness to those who have had to leave their land and to the many
people who suffer the effects of bloody conflicts," the Pope said.
"I hope that the international community may be able to offer
unfailingly its indispensable help."
"At the same time, in order to initiate a new phase for stable
peace in the region, I invite everyone to grasp every opportunity
to reach a satisfactory solution. I am confident that, with the
help of God, and the good will of those involved, the Caucasus will
be a place where, through dialogue and negotiation, disputes and
differences will be resolved and overcome," Pope Francis noted.
By such means, this area – “a gateway between East and West”, in
the beautiful image used by Saint John Paul II when he visited your
country (cf. Address at the Arrival Ceremony, 22 May 2002) – will
also become a gateway open to peace, and an example to which we can
look to solve old and new conflicts, said the Pope.
He also said that the Catholic Church, even though it has a small
presence in the country, is truly present in the civic and social
life of Azerbaijan; it participates in its joys and shares the
challenges of confronting its difficulties.
"The juridical recognition, made possible by the ratification of
the international agreement with the Holy See in 2011, has
furthermore offered a stable regulatory framework for the life of
the Catholic community in Azerbaijan," said Pope Francis.
"I am moreover particularly pleased with the cordial relations
enjoyed by the Catholic, Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish communities,"
he said.
Pope Francis expressed hope that the signs of friendship and
cooperation may continue to increase.
"These good relations assume great significance for peaceful
coexistence and for peace in the world, and they demonstrate that
among the followers of different religious confessions cordial
relations, respect and cooperation for the good of all are
possible," he said.
"The attachment to authentic religious values is utterly
incompatible with the attempt to violently impose on others one’s
own vision, using God’s holy name as “armour”. Rather, may faith in
God be a source and inspiration of mutual understanding and
respect, and of reciprocal help, in pursuit of the common good of
society," said the Pope.
"May God bless Azerbaijan with harmony, peace and prosperity," said
Pope Francis.
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