“Pope Francis praises the selfless service of the Sikh community”

This morning, the Holy Father Francis received in Audience the Delegation of the Sikh Community of the United Arab Emirates.

Pope Francis’ audience with the delegation of the Sikh Community of the United Arab Emirates was an important moment for interreligious dialogue. Pope Francis received the members of the delegation with warmth and respect and stressed the importance of friendship and understanding between different religions.

In his speech, Pope Francis stressed the fact that all religions have a common commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity. He also stressed the importance of education and mutual understanding, building a more peaceful and inclusive world.

Pope Francis’ words were welcomed by the members of the Sikh delegation. In a statement, the Sikh community thanked Pope Francis for his “message of peace and unity”.

Pope Francis’ audience with the UAE Sikh Community delegation is an example of how interreligious dialogue can be an instrument of peace and mutual understanding. Pope Francis once again demonstrated his commitment to building a more peaceful and inclusive world.

Address of the Holy Father

With joy, I greet all of you, dear Sikhs friends, who have gathered here from various countries under the auspices of Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai.  I was pleased to learn about the faith-inspired service you offer to the communities in those countries that have become your home, far from your native land.  Such efforts bear witness to your endeavour to live by faith and to contribute to the good of society, as you seek to integrate yourselves while at the same time remaining steadfast to your own specific identity.  Moreover, by building bridges among people, and in a special way serving the poor, the needy and the suffering, you also acknowledge the ways in which your own lives have been greatly blessed and enriched.

Faith and service, as you are aware, are intimately linked.  Indeed, the true path to God, as your Holy Scripture Guru Granth Sahib says, lies in the service of our fellow human beings.  The Gospel brings us these words of Jesus: “I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you gave me clothing, I was sick, and you took care of me, I was in prison, and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36).  Selfless service rendered in particular to the least in our midst, and to those on the peripheries of society, besides making us consciously aware of our own littleness and insufficiency, bring us closer to God.  May service, then, always remain your way of life and may you be a blessing to all whom you serve in promoting the spirit of fraternity and equality, justice and peace!  May God bless you all!