On Monday morning, May 27, Pope Francis hosted a delegation of Buddhist monks from Bangkok’s Wat Phra Chetuphon (also known as Wat Pho), one of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand. In his address, the Pope reiterated the importance of close cooperation between the Church and Buddhists to address the pressing challenges facing today’s broken world. Below is the English version of the Pope’s address.
Your Holiness,
Your Honor,
Honourable Monks,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am delighted to welcome your delegation on this occasion to strengthen our enduring friendship.
I visited your country from 20 to 23 November 2019 and recall with gratitude the exceptional welcome and hospitality I received from your country. I warmly remember your Honour and ask you to convey my heartfelt greetings to His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
Speaking of recent events that have invigorated our established friendship, I was delighted to hear about the 7th Buddhist-Christian Colloquium, held in Thailand last November. The colloquium brought together over 150 participants from all over Asia to reflect on the theme “A Dialogue of Karuna and Agape for the Healing of Wounded Humanity and the Earth.” Today, humanity and our common home, the Earth, are indeed wounded. Many wars, many people who have lost everything and have been forced to flee. Many children who have become victims of violence. But as you pointed out at the gathering, “We strongly believe that even in the midst of dark clouds, people who are deeply rooted in their respective religious traditions and who are willing to cooperate with all peoples, can bring a ray of hope to a hopeless humanity” (Final Statement of the 7th Buddhist-Christian Colloquium of the Department of Interreligious Dialogue(November 16, 2023)
During the colloquium, you emphasized three important points, which I would like to reiterate. First, you stated that “No one can be saved alone; we can only be saved together, because we are all interconnected and dependent on each other.” In light of this truth, I urge you to work with everyone – civil society, people of other religions, governments, international organizations, the academic and scientific community, and all other stakeholders – to promote friendship that maintains peace and fraternity and builds a more inclusive world. Secondly, you stressed the importance of educating everyone, especially young people and children, “to care for and share our relationship with each other and with the environment.” Finally, you stated that “I believe that prayer and meditation can purify our hearts and minds and turn things upside down. Where there is hatred and revenge, we can create mercy, compassion and forgiveness, a spirit of respect and compassion for others and for the Earth.” I am very pleased that you will join me tomorrow in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere to pray for peace.
We sincerely thank you for your kind gesture in visiting the Vatican and encourage you to continue to foster dialogue and cooperation, in a spirit of lasting friendship, especially with the Catholic Church in Thailand. I wish you and all the people of your noble country God’s abundant blessings. Thank you very much!
