Pope Francis Replies Congratulation Letter From Secretary General of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Pope Francis in reply to the letter sent from Secretary General of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly, Ayatollah Akhtari, affirmed that he will continue on the path of interreligious dialogue, with particular attention to Christian-Muslim dialogue and will enhance it.The letter from Vatican Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in reply to the letter sent by Secretary General of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly, Ayatollah Akhtari congratulated to Bergoglio elected as new Pope Francis of Vatican.Pope Francis stated: "The Catholic Church is conscious of the importance of promoting friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions and he will promote it. It is worth mentioning that Ayatollah Akhtari, Secretary General of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly, In his congratulation letter to Pope Francis expressed hoped that with Pope’s endeavors, we shall witness further consolidation and crystallization of divine principles, religious doctrines, and elevated traditions and values prescribed by Prophet Jesus, Son of Saint Mary, and all divine prophets (peace be upon them) for development of morality and justice as well as negation of all kinds of injustice, inhuman acts, social anomalies, insecurity, poverty, ignorance, and discrimination; also confrontation with hegemonic systems and dual standards of oppressive rule in our world.The following is the letter of Secretary Genral of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly, Ayatollah Akhtari to the Elected Pope Francis: In the Name of AllahHis Holiness Pope Francis I, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Catholic ChurchThe Vatican, Rome     With the most respectful manner, I avail myself of this opportunity to express my heartiest congratulations on your good election as the Pope of the Catholic Church.      I express hope that, with your endeavors, we shall witness further consolidation and crystallization of divine principles, religious doctrines, and elevated traditions and values prescribed by Prophet Jesus, Son of Saint Mary, and all divine prophets (peace be upon them) for development of morality and justice as well as negation of all kinds of injustice, inhuman acts, social anomalies, insecurity, poverty, ignorance, and discrimination; also confrontation with hegemonic systems and dual standards of oppressive rule in our world.     As I emphasized in my previous meeting with Cardinal Ravesi, distinguished Head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Ahlulbayt World Assembly as an international non-governmental organization (NGO) which deals with the affairs of the followers of Ahlulbayt (i.e. Infallible Household of the Holy Prophet of Islam s.a.) throughout the globe, is prepared for any kind of collaboration and consultation for advancement of abovementioned goals to fulfill the shared mission of Islam and Christianity for combating poverty, deprivation, and immoralities as well as promotion of justice and human values.Your Holiness;At the end, while expressing much appreciation and gratitude for the efforts and actions of your predecessor His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant you ever-increasing success and grandeur.          Mohammad Hassan Akhtari               Secretary General,   The Ahlulbayt World Assembly, Tehran----------------------------------The second letter is from "Vatican Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue" in reply to the letter sent by Secretary General of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly, Ayatollah Akhtari congratulated to Bergoglio elected as new Pope Francis of Vatican.Dear Mr. Akthari,From the Vatican, 28 May 2013Your letter dated 13 April 2013 addressed to His Holiness Pope Francis on theoccasion of his election as the Roman Pontiff has reached him.His Holiness, touched by and grateful for your kind gesture, has asked me to reply.Since the beginning of his Pontificate, Pope Francis affirmed that he will continue onthe path of interreligious dialogue, with particular attention to Christian-Muslim dialogue,enhancing it.When receiving the Representatives of the Churches and Ecclesiastical Communitiesand of different Religions (20 March 2013), Pope Francis stated: "The Catholic Church isconscious of the importance of promoting friendship and respect between men and womenof different religious traditions - I want to repeat this: promoting friendship and respectbetween men and women of different religious traditions - a sign of this can be seen in theimportant work carried out by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. TheChurch is likewise conscious of the responsibility which all of us have for our world, for thewhole of creation, which we must love and protect. There is much that we can do to benefitthe poor, the needy and those who suffer, and to favour justice, promote reconciliation andbuild peace."His Holiness had special words of greetings to the Muslim delegates: "I. .. greet andcordially thank all of you, dear friends who are followers of other religious traditions; firstMuslims, who worship God as one, living and merciful, and invoke him in prayer, and all ofyou. I greatly appreciate your presence: in it, I see a tangible sign of a will to grow inmutual esteem and in cooperation for the common good of humanity."         With best wishes and warm greetings,               Cardinal Jean -Louis Tauran                            President______________________________Mr. Mohammad Hasan AkthariSecretary GeneralThe Ahl al-Bayt World AssemblyNo. 228 Keshavarz BlvdTehran 14176-53741Islamic Republic of IranE-mail: info@ahl-ul-bayt.org/129