Vatican City, Nov 3, 2016 / 05:03 am
Pope Francis spoke to representatives of different religions Thursday, telling them that acts of terrorism and violence must be very clearly condemned, while love and mercy – the heart of authentic religion – must be promoted.
"Sadly, not a day passes that we do not hear of acts of violence, conflict, kidnapping, terrorist attacks, killings and destruction," Pope Francis said, adding that "it is horrible that at times, to justify such barbarism, the name of a religion or the name of God himself is invoked."
"May there be clear condemnation of these iniquitous attitudes that profane the name of God and sully the religious quest of mankind."
Instead, he asked that "the aimless paths of disagreement and closed-mindedness" be rejected, and replaced with the path of a "peaceful encounter" among believers.