Elijah Releases New Message of Friendship by Pope Francis

Source: Elijah Interfaith Institute

Along with the broader international and interreligious community, Elijah recalls with sadness and deep respect a friend of the world and a friend of Elijah’s, Pope Francis, who has completed his earthly mission. We have been blessed throughout the years to have Pope Francis take part and offer his support for Elijah projects. This is a moment for us to give gratitude and to recall those moments. It is also an occasion for us to share with our readers a video clip Pope Francis made for Elijah, that we have not yet made public.

Pope Francis and the Friendship Across Religions Campaign

In 2017, Elijah published the much acclaimed project “Friendship Across Religions”, featuring interviews with some of the world’s premier faith leaders of all religions, united in a call for making friends across faiths. Rabbi Abraham Skorka, the Pope’s rabbi, from their days in Buenos Aires, was instrumental in realizing the following interview, in which both friends offered their friendship as a testimony to others.

In Support of the Declaration of Friendship Across Religions

Following the initial campaign, Elijah began working on a declaration of friendship across religions.
In support of the declaration, we asked religious leaders to offer teachings from their tradition that could support such a notion. Given that many of our religions have preached the opposite for centuries, a new body of teaching is required to support on religious grounds the call for friendship across religions. The declaration of friendship across religions can be seen here. Crafted by Elijah’s Board of World Religious Leaders, it constitutes a call for all religious leaders, of all faiths, to take part in friendship activities.
Pope Francis was an early signatory of this declaration, as the following image demonstrates.

We are honored on this occasion to share a dialogue exchange between Pope Francis and Rabbi Skorka, held in advance of the Pope’s signing. The conversation seeks to ground and deepen the practice of friendship across religions, and is, in and of itself, a model of such an exchange between Pope Francis and "his" rabbi.

"Friendship can only be achieved by walking together. Knowing how to dialogue, respecting each other's position. Fighting like brothers and reconciling like brothers- It's an existential journey. I believe that God, who is the Father of all of us, wants it this way."- Pope Francis

Pope Francis Supports the Global House of Friendship and Hope

Elijah’s current activities are focused on developing in Assisi the Global House of Friendship and Hope. As our readers know, it is an immersive interreligious experience, featuring the ideals of friendship, prayer and the wisdom of saints and religious geniuses, as these are appreciated across diverse religious traditions. Pope Francis was deeply moved by this vision and penned the following letter of support.

Other ways in which he was helpful will come to light in due course.

As the Catholic Church prepares for the final earthly journey of Pope Francis, we share in prayers for his soul. Perhaps more importantly, we share in the prayer for his legacy to endure, for his vision of brotherhood, healing and humility to be realized and for the world to remain attentive to a great visionary, who offered the world a vision of divine love and human fraternity.

Remembering Pope Francis,

Praying for Peace
Join us Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 pm Jerusalem time

In the amphitheatre of St Peter's of Gallicantu on Mt Zion and on Zoom.

Join Praying Together in Jerusalem as we take part in the "It's Time for Peace" event being held in Jerusalem, May 8th-9th.

Participate in prayers for peace by Jewish, Christian, Muslim and other women and men of faith, who believe in the power of prayer, exemplify mutual respect and build deep spiritual friendship.

• Join us in person or on Zoom.
• For details of the in-person component, please email elijahoffice1@gmail.com.

All are welcome.

• Zoom Details:
• Meeting ID: 896 5428 9538
• Passcode: Elijah