• Midhun J Francis, SJ

Introduction

Pope Francis embarked on an apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore in September 2024, influencing the world. He articulated a vision of faith, fraternity and compassion during this visit to Asia. It reflects his deep commitment to interreligious dialogue and the unity of humanity. This vision, consistent with his broader pontificate, evokes the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, particularly the historic meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil in Egypt during the Fifth Crusade. Here I shall explore the theological underpinnings of Pope Francis’ call for interreligious dialogue and human fraternity, particularly in the context of his address to civil and religious authorities in Jakarta, and the continuity of this vision with the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, as well as his meeting with Imam Ahmad al-Tayyeb in Abu Dhabi.

The Meeting of St. Francis and Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil: A Model for Dialogue

The encounter between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil in 1219 is regarded as a profound moment of peaceful dialogue in the history of the crusade.  It happened during a time of violent conflict between Christians and Muslims. St. Francis of Assisi, rather than engaging in violence, chose a path of peace. It was a radical move. He was crossing enemy lines to meet with the Sultan in Egypt as the ambassador of Christ, not of any earthly authority. This meeting represents a theological and historical milestone for interreligious dialogue. It emphasized mutual respect, humility, and the recognition of the shared dignity of all people, regardless of religious differences.

“Pope Francis’ theological vision of interreligious dialogue
is rooted in the conviction that humanity is one.
It assumes all people are called to recognize each other
as brothers and sisters. This vision is especially made clear
in his 2020 encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’.
He writes, “We are called to love everyone, without exception;
but loving an oppressor does not mean allowing him
to keep oppressing us or letting him think that
what he does is acceptable”  (Fratelli Tutti, 241).

The spirit of this encounter has continued to inspire modern efforts toward dialogue and peaceful coexistence between different religious traditions. Pope Francis, in many ways, has reinvigorated this model of engagement. He has particularly through his relationships with leaders of the Muslim world, such as the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmad al-Tayyeb, influenced both the Christian and the Muslim world for  co-existence. Their joint declaration on human fraternity in 2019 is a contemporary manifestation of the Franciscan ideal of dialogue (The word Franciscan is not used here to mean the charism and spirituality of any order or congregation,  but the spirit of Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi). This Franciscan ideal also emphasized the inherent dignity of every human being created in the image of God (cf. Genesis 1:26).

Pope Francis’ Theology of Interreligious Dialogue

Pope Francis’ theological vision of interreligious dialogue is rooted in the conviction that humanity is one. It assumes all people are called to recognize each other as brothers and sisters. This vision is especially made clear in his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti. He writes, “We are called to love everyone, without exception; but loving an oppressor does not mean allowing him to keep oppressing us or letting him think that what he does is acceptable” (Fratelli Tutti, 241). This radical notion of fraternity challenges religious communities to transcend their differences and work together for the common good, particularly in the face of the many challenges confronting the world today, such as poverty, environmental degradation, and violence.

During his address to civil and religious leaders in Indonesia in September 2024, Pope Francis reiterated this call for unity in diversity. He praised the national motto of Indonesia, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (“United in Diversity”). He considered it as a model of how diverse religious and cultural communities can live together in harmony. He emphasized that the Catholic Church does not seek to impose its faith or engage in proselytism but rather to witness to the love of Christ through acts of compassion, fraternity, and solidarity with all people. “Proclaiming the Gospel does not mean imposing our faith, placing it in opposition to that of others, or proselytizing, it means giving and sharing the joy of encountering Christ,” he remarked in Jakarta. This vision resonates deeply with the commitment of the Church to interreligious dialogue as missioned in Nostra Aetate, the Vatican II document on the relation of the Church with non-Christian religions.

The Three Pillars of Dialogue:

In his Jakarta address Pope Francis spoke of three key virtues. They are faith, fraternity, and compassion. These are not only virtues for individual Christian life but also of the foundation for authentic interreligious dialogue.

Faith: The Pope pointed out that the vast natural and cultural diversity of Indonesia should be viewed not as a source of division but as a sign of God’s loving presence in the world. For Pope Francis, faith in God is not an excuse for isolation or exclusion; rather, it is a call to engage with the world in a spirit of openness and gratitude.

“In a world increasingly marked by division,
conflict, and intolerance, Pope Francis’ vision of
humanity as one family, united in its diversity,
offers a powerful model for interreligious dialogue
and cooperation. As he continues to engage
with leaders of different religious traditions,
his message of human fraternity remains a beacon
of hope for the future of interreligious relations
and the promotion of peace and justice in the world.”

Fraternity: In line with his teachings in Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis emphasized that fraternity is not the denial of differences but the recognition that all human beings are part of one family. In this sense, fraternity is not merely an ideal but a concrete practice of dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect across religious and cultural boundaries. His words echoed St. Francis’ recognition of the dignity of Sultan al-Kamil, despite the violent context of their meeting.

Compassion: Pope Francis said that compassion is not simply about giving alms or performing acts of charity from a distance. Rather, it is about drawing near to the suffering of others. It is about touching the wounds of humanity and sharing in their pain. This compassion we see in the mystery of incarnation. This is a model of Jesus for humanity. Here, Jesus did not remain distant from the suffering of humanity, he entered into the humanity fully even in its sufferings. In the context of interreligious dialogue, compassion requires us to listen deeply to the experiences of others, particularly those who suffer from violence, poverty, and exclusion, and to work together to alleviate their burdens.

The Continuity of the Francis of Assisi’s Vision in Pope Francis’ Pontificate

The commitment of Pope Francis to the interreligious dialogue, which leads human   fraternity is deeply inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi. The meeting between St. Francis and the Sultan serves as a foundational narrative for this vision. This vision seeks to build bridges between religious communities rather than walls of division. The Pope’s meeting with Grand Imam Ahmad al-Tayyeb in 2019 and the resulting Document on Human Fraternity is a continuation of this Franciscan approach, emphasizing the shared mission of Christians and Muslims to promote peace, justice, and the dignity of every person.

The 2024 apostolic journey to Indonesia further underscores the centrality of this vision in Pope Francis’ pontificate. Indonesia, as a country with the largest Muslim population in the world and a history of religious pluralism, serves as a powerful example of how diverse religious communities can live together in harmony. The Address of the Pope to civil and religious leaders in Jakarta highlighted the importance of mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation. Therefore, it was a vision of the Pope for overcoming the divisions and conflicts that often arise from religious or cultural differences.

Conclusion

Pope Francis’ theology of interreligious dialogue, as expressed during his 2024 apostolic journey to Indonesia, builds on the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi and his meeting with Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil. It is a vision that calls for faith, fraternity, and compassion as the foundations of a peaceful and just world where diverse religious communities can live together in harmony. In a world increasingly marked by division, conflict, and intolerance, Pope Francis’ vision of humanity as one family, united in its diversity, offers a powerful model for interreligious dialogue and cooperation. As he continues to engage with leaders of different religious traditions, his message of human fraternity remains a beacon of hope for the future of interreligious relations and the promotion of peace and justice in the world.