Pope Leo XIV has called on religious leaders to strengthen cooperation between Christians and Muslims, saying continued dialogue is needed to reduce division and promote peaceful communities.
The Pope made the appeal after meeting a delegation from the Programme for Christian–Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA), a Nairobi‑based Pan‑African organisation, at the Vatican.
In a statement dated March 27, PROCMURA said Pope Leo XIV urged faith communities to take responsibility for addressing prejudice, violence, and social division, and called for “a shared commitment to promoting peace, justice, and the common good.”
Pope Leo XIV Urged Dialogue Between Faiths
According to PROCMURA, Pope Leo XIV told the delegation that regular engagement between Christians and Muslims remains necessary as many parts of the world continue to experience religious tension and conflict.
He said faith‑based initiatives can help communities live together peacefully. The Pope referred to PROCMURA’s work across Africa, noting that long‑term engagement can help improve relations both within communities and between institutions.
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Speaking on the Catholic Church’s engagement with other religions, Pope Leo XIV said the Church “rejects nothing of what is true and holy” in other faiths. He said relations between religious communities should be guided by openness, respect, and direct engagement.
He added that peaceful relations grow when people are willing to listen to one another and learn from different religious traditions.
Role of Religious Leaders
The Pope also urged religious leaders to take responsibility for dealing with prejudice, violence, and social division, according to the PROCMURA statement.
He said faith leaders influence how communities respond to social problems and conflict.
Popo Leo urged continued dialogue and cooperation, noting that long‑term partnerships help strengthen trust and support initiatives driven by local communities.
In addition, the pontiff noted that this approach has guided PROCMURA’s efforts to promote inclusive communities across Africa.
During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged PROCMURA’s role in promoting good relations between Christians and Muslims. He said its work demonstrates that people of different faiths can live and work together peacefully despite religious differences.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing cooperation between PROCMURA and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, which supports engagement between the Catholic Church and other religious traditions.
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African Religious Leaders Welcome Pope Leo’s the Message
The audience included religious leaders from Africa and senior PROCMURA officials, among them General Adviser Bishop Nathan Samwini and Team Leader Joy Wandabwa. Rev. Andrew Ashdown, chairperson of PROCMURA’s European partners, was also present.
After the meeting, Bishop Samwini said the audience pointed to shared concern about the role of faith communities in promoting peace across Africa.
“The call to deepen cooperation between Christians and Muslims speaks directly to the challenges we continue to face across Africa,” he said. “It underlines the need for continued engagement built on trust and experience.”
Wandabwa said the meeting highlighted the responsibility of faith‑based organisations to remain engaged with communities.
“It underscores the need for organisations such as PROCMURA to keep creating space for dialogue and to support communities in building strong relationships that can endure pressure and division,” she said.
