Pope Francis and his message of brotherhood

Since arriving as the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Argentina more than seven years ago, I’ve witnessed firsthand the deep affection many people here hold for Pope Francis. The election of Jorge Bergoglio in 2013 as the supreme head of the Catholic Church was a historic moment – he became the first person from South America to be elected to this role in nearly 2,000 years. Many Argentines identified with him because, despite occupying the highest rank in the Church hierarchy, he remained accessible to ordinary people and maintained a humble and austere lifestyle. 

I have personally heard numerous testimonies from people who fondly shared their experiences interacting with him during his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, including brief exchanges they had with him on public transport. Others have told me how they had received a personal letter or gift sent by Pope Francis from the Vatican. 

His commitment to inter-religious harmony has earned admiration not only among Catholics but also people of other faiths. During my time here in Argentina, I have heard so many positive accounts of him that I also developed a certain admiration for him, although I never imagined anything beyond that.

Following the passing of Pope Francis, I find myself reflecting deeply on the powerful legacy he left behind. Some may call what followed coincidence or fate, but I, as a believer, see it as a Divine decree. Through our interfaith engagements, particularly between Muslims and Jews, I received an invitation from the Vatican and had the honoir, on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to meet Pope Francis for the first time in a private audience in September 2022. 

This initial meeting, which lasted nearly 40 minutes, left a deep impression on me. In preparation, I had extensively studied his encyclical Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers), which emphasizes the importance of dialogue and universal brotherhood. However, experiencing that message in person gave it a profound and personal dimension. 

A wonderful moment of our conversation was when I presented the Holy Quran to him and introduced him to chapter 19, dedicated entirely to the Virgin Mary, which is especially relevant to Catholics. The Pope shared that he had once been astonished to visit a mosque called ‘Mary’ (Mariam in Arabic) during a trip to a Muslim country – I explained that the Virgin Mary holds a revered place in Islam, as she is presented to all believers as a model of chastity and loyalty to the Almighty God.

The most meaningful moment of the meeting, however, was when I handed him a personal letter written by the spiritual Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. The Pope greatly appreciated this gesture and, in response, dedicated a signed copy of his book Fratelli Tutti to the Caliph with the words: ‘To Mirza Masroor Ahmad with fraternal affection. Francis’. I felt deeply honoured to serve as a bridge of communication between the two global faith leaders whose examples reflect the values they preach. 

Last yea,r I again had the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis on two more occasions. During these visits, we discussed the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, which have cast long shadows over peaceful coexistence. In a world where louder voices support a return of medieval crusades or a partition between the ‘West vs East.’ the message of ‘All Brothers’ reminds us that the true path forward is not to build more walls but more bridges. 

As a Muslim and a theologian, I am deeply drawn to this message. Theological, ideological or political differences must not become excuses to distance ourselves from each other. On the contrary, they must inspire us to engage even closer in meaningful dialogue. Dialogue does not require us to abandon our identities or principles; it requires us to listen and seek genuine understanding. 

Dissent and differing views are part of the DNA of our shared human identity, especially in global politics and in a world that feels increasingly unjust and less humane. If we begin dialogue by focusing solely on our differences, we always end up trapped in a labyrinth with no exit. On the other hand, if we start by acknowledging our differences while recognizing our shared values, we may end up as the streams of multiple rivers flowing into the same sea.

For this reason, the Holy Quran, in chapter 3, verse 65, urges followers of different religions to come together in harmony. As Muslims, it is our responsibility to build bridges and to seek common values that unite us with Jews, Christians, and people of all faiths. Guided by this principle, I invite all to meet the ‘other’ instead of ignoring him, to engage in dialogue instead of debate, to share rather than compete, and to listen rather than judge. 

I am deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Yet I remain hopeful from the bottom of my heart that his legacy will continue to inspire a global movement of fraternity between the different religions and nations of the world.