Pope to Americas: working to build bridges is never in vain

Last updated on: April 14, 2015 at 4:03 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope to Americas: working to build bridges is never in vain 2015-04-14T16:03:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Apr 14, 2015 / 10:03 am (CNA).- In a message for the 7th Summit of the Americas, Pope Francis called for dialogue, cooperation and the securing of human rights and basic life necessities.

In the Apr. 10 message, entitled “Prosperity with Equity: the Challenge of Cooperation in the Americas,” the Pope called for “sincere dialogue” that leads to “mutual collaboration which unites efforts and exceeds the differences in the way toward the common good.”

“Efforts to build bridges, communication channels, build relationships, seek the agreement are never in vain,” the Pope said in a message to Panama president Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez.

The 7th Summit of the Americas was held in Panama City April 10-11. The summits are a series of gatherings which bring together leaders of North and South America, including Central America and the Caribbean.

Leaders of 35 countries from North, Central, and South America, including U.S. president Barack Obama, attended the summit.

This year's meeting marks the highest-level talks between Cuba and the United States in nearly 60 years, with Obama meeting with Cuban president Raul Castro, according to Reuters.

In December 2014, Obama said Pope Francis was instrumental in improving relations between the leaders of the U.S. and Cuba.

In his message, Pope Francis called for the promotion of “the globalization of solidarity and brotherhood,” and the “fair distribution of wealth” and resources. Doing otherwise, he said, breeds conflict and violence, creating a “globalization of discrimination and indifference” and leaving the problems of society unresolved.

“There are ‘basic necessities’ such as land, work and home, and ‘public services,’ such as health, education, safety and the environment, from which no human being should remain excluded.”

In his message, the pontiff also touched in the issue of immigration, which he said is caused by inequality in nations whereby citizens are forced to leave their families and homeland. Such persons are susceptible to becoming victims of human trafficking and slavery, without rights or access to justice, he said.

In defending fundamental human rights, Pope Francis said, the law is not enough: without mercy, there is no justice.

The pontiff cited problems which arise even within a given country, especially for indigenous persons in rural areas or suburbs.

“Without a genuine defense of these people against racism, xenophobia and intolerance, the rule of law would lose its legitimacy,” Pope Francis said.

Vatican

Previous Post

April 14, 2015

Vatican unveils a packed, diverse itinerary for Pope's Sarajevo visit

Next Post

April 14, 2015 A dark, tense history: behind Turkey's protest of the Holy See

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Gospel was written by a doctor?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Matthew John Mark Luke