The fraternity sought by the various religions in the area directly opposes those who wish to focus on division or reawaken tensions that come from opposition and differences, he said.
Opening oneself to others "does not lead to impoverishment but rather enrichment, because it enables us to be more human," he said, adding that it helps all parties to act "with neither abstract idealism nor with interventionism, not by harmful interference or forceful actions, but rather out of respect for the dynamics of history, cultures and religious traditions."
Religions, he said, have the key task of accompanying people through life, helping them to understand that "the center of each person is outside of himself, that we are oriented toward the Most High and toward the other who is our neighbor."
Part of this task involves providing authentic answers to those who often find themselves lost among "the swirling contradictions of our time."
Among these contradictions is a seemingly dominant attitude of nihilism on the part of those who don't believe in anything "except their own well-being, advantage and profit," he said.
On the other hand, there is a growing presence of "rigid and fundamentalist" attitudes from "those who, through violent words and deeds, seek to impose extreme and radical attitudes which are furthest from the living God."
Contrary to these attitudes, religions are called to build and foster "a culture of encounter and peace," based on mutual understanding and humility. True peace, achieved through prayer and dialogue, is a duty for both Christians and other religious communities, he said.
To be open and hope for the good of others is not a type of "accommodating facile syncretism, nor a diplomatic openness which says yes to everything in order to avoid problems," the Pope said.
Rather, it is "a path of dialogue with others and a path of prayer for all," allowing love to rise "where there is hatred, and forgiveness where there is offence, of never growing weary of imploring and tracing the ways of peace."
"The blood of far too many people cries out to God from the earth," he said, stressing that in the current global context, "we are challenged to give a response that can no longer be put off: to build together a future of peace."
"Now is not the time for violent or abrupt solutions, but rather an urgent moment to engage in patient processes of reconciliation," he said, praying that amid the ongoing "night of conflict" overshadowing the global community, religions would be a sign of peace amid "the devastation of death."
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The Pope prayed that religions, particularly in the Caucasus region, would be "active agents" in overcoming the tragedies and tensions of the past and present.
"The treasures old and ever new of the wisdom, culture and religious sensibility of the people of the Caucasus, are a tremendous resource for the future of the region and especially for European culture," he said, and prayed that they would always be known and valued.
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.