Your Excellencies,
Dear brothers and sisters,
Peace be with you!

I am delighted to welcome you, who represent the Muslim brotherhoods and communities of Senegal, alongside the representatives of the Catholic Church in that same country. This meeting is a significant expression of our friendship and our shared commitment to promoting an inclusive, peaceful and fraternal society.

You come from Senegal, the land of “teranga” – hospitality and solidarity – a land of strong family ties, conviviality and peaceful coexistence between Christians, Muslims and believers of other traditions. This reality forms the foundation of dialogue between peoples distinguished by their religious affiliation and ethnic origin. This treasure of fraternity, which must be carefully safeguarded, is a precious asset not only for your nation, but for all of humanity.

Unfortunately, armed conflicts persist on the African continent, causing serious humanitarian crises and deep-seated inequalities that afflict entire populations on a daily basis, not to mention the worrying rise of violent extremism. Added to this are growing flows of migrants and refugees, hate speech that poisons the social fabric, the weakening of family ties and the erosion of ethical and spiritual values, particularly among the young.

In this context, the values borne by the spirit of “teranga” and interreligious dialogue are a valuable means of easing tensions and building lasting peace.

“By fostering interreligious dialogue and involving religious leaders in initiatives of mediation and reconciliation, politics and diplomacy can draw upon moral forces capable of easing tensions, preventing extremism and promoting a culture of mutual esteem and respect” (cf. Address to the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps, Yaoundé, 15 April 2026). Today the world is greatly in need of diplomacy and religious dialogue based on peace, justice and truth.

As Christians and Muslims, we all believe that every human being is fashioned by the hands of God, and thus endowed with a dignity that no law or human power has the right to take away (cf. Gen 1:27). The nations of the world have also proclaimed: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. It is on this foundation of brotherhood, rooted in the origins of humanity and in faith, that we jointly assume our shared responsibility: to condemn all forms of discrimination and persecution based on race, religion or origin; to reject any exploitation of God’s name for military, economic or political ends; to raise our voices in support of every minority that suffers. As I said in Bamenda, Cameroon, “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own … gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth” (Address for Peace, Bamenda, 16 April 2026).

I pray that God Almighty may rekindle the desire to understand one another better, to listen to one another and to live together in respect and fraternity. May He grant us the courage to take the path of dialogue, to respond to conflicts with gestures of fraternity and to open our hearts to others, without fearing differences. Finally, I pray that your commitment to peace, justice and fraternity may bear abundant fruit, leading to ever deeper cooperation between all parties for the good of humanity. Thank you! 

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 9 may 2026