Pope Francis sends out a message of peace

With his visit to a mosque in Bangui, the pontiff has made a wonderful gesture of harmony

Since being elevated to the Holy See two years ago, Pope Francis has proven himself to be a fearless leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, speaking out against injustice and trying to build bridges with other religions and end intolerance within those who follow his church’s teachings.

On the international stage, he instigated the diplomatic breakthrough that ended the Cold War stand-off between Washington and Havana. And in last week’s six-day papal visit to Africa, he offered a gesture of reconciliation, peace and harmony between Christians and Muslims. In the Central African Republic (CAR), the rift is laid most bare and raw, with bitter fighting leaving 2.7 million in need of humanitarian aid and nearly a million people displaced either internally or outside the borders of the impoverished nation.

There were doubts that the tenuous and dangerous situation on the ground would allow for Francis to visit the CAR’s capital, Bangui. An international peacekeeping force drawn from African Union members is on the ground and, thankfully, Francis was able to briefly visit Bangui. There, he made a point of visiting the most dangerous neighbourhood in the city, and visiting the biggest mosque. His words were inspiring: “Christians and Muslims and members of traditional faiths have lived peacefully for many years. Together, we say no to hatred, to vengeance and violence, especially that committed in the name of religion or God.” Those words need to be heard by many, not shut out by the deaf and ignorant who twist faith into a weapon.