“Religious Peacemaking at its Best” – ICNY statement on Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land

The Interfaith Center of New York takes inspiration from Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land and his invitation to Presidents Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas to join him at the Vatican on June 6^th to pray for peace. Pope Francis’ statement that “peace must resolutely be pursued” along with his gesture of imagination and hospitality offers an example of religious peacemaking at its best. Drawing on the time-honored principles of determination in the face of adversity and non-violence in the context of armed conflict, the Pontiff demonstrates shared moral values that are at the heart of the world’s great religious traditions.