Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME is the founder of Silsilah Dialogue Movement.

Reflecting on the visit of Pope Francis, some points come to my mind. I express some of them in the spirit of love for the people of Mindanao. I know many groups, including Muslim leaders, have written to the Pope welcoming him in the Philippines, even inviting him to Mindanao. I believe the Pope will tell us what is dear to him and to us. But this is also the time when we have to reflect what the Pope wishes to know about us. He, for sure, wishes to hear that we overcome division and conflict of cultures, to know that we are moving in the spirit of mercy and compassion and many other things that are dear to him. 

I wish to say to my Muslim friends to be patient with the Christians and to the Christians to be patient with the Muslims in Mindanao.I see that many are victims in the processes. Feelings are often not rational, but go beyond. I think in this line Pope Francis can help us all. He is a man of God and he was chosen by providence in this time of history to remind us to go beyond the barriers of religions and cultures and to give attention to all, especially to the poor. 

In this spirit it is important to recall some points of the teachings of Pope Francis that are very relevant for all, but can have a great impact for the future peace in Mindanao if we listen with the heart.

I take some points from the Apostolic Exhortation “EVANGELII GAUDIUM” of Pope Francis of last Nov. 24, 2013. In this document he emphasized three points:

■ Pope Francis gives a special attention to the poor in his exhortation. He tells us to “hear the plea” of the poor, to be “faithful to the Gospel. In this context the pope also touches some of the causes of poverty today like “the economy of the distribution of income” and the concern for the “vulnerability of the poor”. He also reminds us “we are called to care for the vulnerability of the earth”.

■ It is relevant to note that the Pope in the exhortation emphasized: “An attitude of openness in truth and in love most characterize the dialogue with the followers on non-Christian religions, in spite of various obstacles and difficulties, especially forms of fundamentalism on both side. Interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world… We can then join one another in taking up the duty of serving justice and peace, which seeks a social peace and justice, an ethical commitment which brings a new social situation”.

■ It is important to note that the Pope in this document also says: “ in this dialogue, even friendly and sincere, attention must be paid to the essential bond between dialogue and proclamation… a facile syncretism would ultimately be a totalitarian gesture on the part of those who would ignore greater values of which they are not the master… what is not helpful is a diplomatic openness which says YES to everything in order to avoid problems…”

May the visit of Pope Francis teach us how to love without “vested interest” in the respect of each one. The dream in Mindanao will be achieved if the Muslims are united and if the Christians overcome the fear accumulated in the past and aggravated by events from those who use violence in the world and in Mindanao in the name of their own religion. These are important elements to dream together for a future peace in Mindanao.