Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Pope Francis: Diverse Religious Identities Are ‘A Gift from God’

Posted on September 17, 2024 in: News

Pope Francis: Diverse Religious Identities Are ‘A Gift from God’

Pope Francis praised cultural and religious diversity as “a gift from God” in a video message to an interreligious youth conference on Tuesday.

“Contemplate the diversity of your traditions as a wealth, a wealth willed by God,” the pope told young adults gathered in Tirana, Albania, for the Mediterranean Encounters 2024.

“Unity is not uniformity,” he added, “and the diversity of our cultural and religious identities is a gift from God.”

Francis’ comment about diverse religious identities being a gift willed by God followed shortly after the pontiff made headlines over the weekend for telling young people in Singapore on Sept. 13 that “all religions are path[ways] to reach God.”

The pope’s video message Sept. 17 was sent to 50 young adults from 25 Mediterranean and Black Sea countries participating in Mediterranean Encounters 2024 (Med24) in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 15–21.

The meeting’s theme is “Pilgrims of Hope, Builders of Peace” and comes one year after Pope Francis participated in the Mediterranean Encounters in Marseille, France, on Sept. 23, 2023.

The interreligious conference is focused on the themes of peace, migration, and human dignity and includes moments of dialogue, prayer, and cultural visits.

In his message, Pope Francis asked Med24 participants to “put the voices of those who are not heard at the center,” especially the poor and migrants.

“I think of those who, often very young, must leave their country for a better future,” he said. “Take care of each one. It is not about numbers but about people, and each person is sacred; it is about faces, whose dignity must be promoted and protected. We renounce the culture of fear to open the door of welcome and friendship.”

The pontiff also encouraged the young adults from Albania in particular to “walk in the footsteps of your martyrs.”

“Their courage is a living testimony that can inspire your commitment to resist all the violence that disfigures our humanity, as Blessed Maria Tuci did at only 22 years of age,” he said. 

Maria (also spelled Marije) Tuci is one of 38 Albanese martyrs beatified in 2016.

The young Albanian woman, a teacher in a Catholic elementary school who was also in formation to become a religious sister, was arrested and imprisoned by the anti-Catholic communist state in 1949.

She died in 1950 at the age of 22 after being brutally tortured in prison.

 

By Hannah Brockhaus

This article was originally published by the Catholic News Agency on September 17, 2024. 

 

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Watch the 2025 Chrism Mass and Homily by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne
The 2025 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 16th, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the blessing of the holy oils—used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders—and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy of the Diocese. We invite you to watch the video of the full Mass, especiall...

Read More

Faithful Invited to Witness a Joyous Moment in Diocesan History — Parish Tickets and Livestream Offered
The Diocese of Norwich joyfully awaits the ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Richard F. Reidy as the sixth bishop of Norwich, to be held on Tuesday, April 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich. Due to the limited capacity of the Cathedral, each parish in the diocese has received an allotment of just four tickets per church to distribute. Anyone interested in attending in person must contact their parish office directly. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate ticket requests through the diocesan office. The ordination and installati...

Read More

Photos & Video: The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy Ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich
The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy was ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich, Connecticut at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. The gathering filled the cathedral for the Mass of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Reidy, who comes to Norwich from the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was vicar general. Pope Francis appointed Reidy as Sixth Bishop of Norwich in February.   Click here to see a photo gallery of the Ordination   Click here for more information about Bishop Reidy   Video of the compl...

Read More

Celebrating Our Faithful Servants: Priestly Jubilees of 2025
With gratitude and joy, the Diocese of Norwich extends heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to the priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination to the sacred priesthood in 2025. These dedicated men have faithfully answered God’s call, each offering years of devoted service to Christ and His Church. Celebrating 65 years of priesthood are Reverend Paul F. Ramen (ordained February 2, 1960) and Reverend John E. Welch, M.S. (May 28, 1960), whose lifetime of ministry continues to inspire. Marking 60 years, Monsignor James Carini (May ...

Read More

Pope Francis dies at 88, Ending Historic Pontificate Marked by Mercy and Reform
Pope Francis Dies at 88 on Easter Monday VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years. Official Announcement by the Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, officially announced the pope’s death in a video message. “At 7:35 this morning, the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of...

Read More

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for the Month of April
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of April is for the use of new technologies.  “How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more,” the pope said in a prerecorded video released April 1. “Something’s wrong if we spend more time on our cellphones than with people. The screen makes us forget that there are real people behind it who breathe, laugh, and cry.” He added: “It’s true, technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us. But we need to use it well. It can&rs...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Prayer for the Election of a New Pope
Photos & Video: The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy Ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich
Memorial Day Cemetery Mass Schedule
We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal.
Faith, Fellowship, and Fun for Homeschooling Families
The crucifix and the Pietà - Hope & Faith Series
Calendar of Events

 

May 7 Papal Conclave Date Finalized as Cardinals Prepare for Election
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294