Pope Francis Describes What Is True and Holy in Islam

On October 28, 1965, the Catholic Church reported to her sons and daughters that she rejects nothing that is true and holy in the world religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all people (Vatican II, Declaration Nostra aetate, n.2). This article answers the question: "What is true and holy in Islam according to the actual leader of the Catholic Church: Pope Francis?" A landmark in Muslim-Christian relations was reached with the visit of Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates and the publication of a joint document with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2019. Within a general framework of Pope Francis's thought the article inquiries his specific vision of Muslims and Islam. It critically comments on what Pope Francis wrote on Muslims and Islam in his programatic letter Evangelii gaudium in which he pours out all his soul, mind, heart and dream. Pope Francis weaves very well his thought on Islam and Muslims with the Second Vatican Council's teaching. At the core of his reflections lies the concept of authentic religion that excludes any form of violence.

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On October 28, 1965, the Catholic Church reported to her sons and daughters that she rejects nothing that is true and holy in the world religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all people (Vatican II, Declaration Nostra aetate, no. 2). This article answers the question: "What is true and holy in Islam according to the actual leader of the Catholic Church: Pope Francis?" A landmark in Muslim-Christian relations was reached with the visit of Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates and the publication of a joint document with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2019. Within a general framework of Pope Francis's thought the article inquiries his specific vision of Muslims and Islam. It critically comments on what Pope Francis wrote on Muslims and Islam in his programatic letter Evangelii gaudium in which he pours out all his soul, mind, heart and dream. Pope Francis weaves very well his thought on Islam and Muslims with the Second Vatican Council's teaching. At the core of his reflections lies the concept of authentic religion that excludes any form of violence.