Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 27, 2013 / 11:07 am
Pope Francis told representatives of Brazil's leadership this morning that governments should affirm the value of religion in society so that religions can contribute to open dialogue in the public square.
"Peaceful coexistence between different religions is favored by the laicity of the state, which ... respects and esteems the presence of the religious factor in society, while fostering its concrete expressions," the Pope said July 27 to Brazilian leaders gathered at Rio de Janeiro's ornate Municipal Theatre.
He said the great religious traditions "play a fruitful role as a leaven of society and a life-giving force for democracy."
Pope Francis' audience included political, diplomatic, cultural, religious, academic, and business representatives of the people of Brazil. Pope Francis briefly opened his remarks in Portuguese, but asked their forgiveness for his continuing in Spanish, saying he wanted to "express more clearly what I carry in my heart."