VATICAN: New Encyclical “Fratelli Tutti,” Calls for a Renewed Commitment to Fraternal Unity
Pope Francis signs the new Encyclical Fratelli Tutti
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Pope Francis in his new Encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti has focused on the theme of fraternity and social friendship, calling on all humanity to a renewed brotherly unity where all men and women are brothers and sisters.
The Pope’s Encyclical after was signed on Saturday, October 3, before the tomb of St Francis of Assisi, on the anniversary of the Saints death.
According to the Pontiff, the encyclical has been inspired by St. Francis of Assisi whom he describes as the “saint of fraternal love,” as already indicated in the ecumenical document he signed in February 2019 with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.”
“This saint of fraternal love, simplicity and joy, who inspired me to write the Encyclical Laudato Si’ prompts me once more to devote this new Encyclical to fraternity and social friendship,” the Pope writes at the beginning of the letter.
He adds, “Francis felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his own flesh. Wherever he went, he sowed seeds of peace and walked alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm and the outcast, the least of his brothers and sisters.”
Pope Francis highlights the significance of living a fraternal life with no boundaries, making reference to Saint Francis of Assisi who and interacted freely with people of other religions, a gesture that “demonstrated the breadth and grandeur of his love, which sought to embrace everyone.”
“There is an episode in the life of Saint Francis that shows his openness of heart, which knew no bounds and transcended differences of origin, nationality, colour or religion,” he writes.
He explains further, “When St. Francis met with the Egyptian Sultan Al-Kamil in 1219, he urged that all forms of hostility or conflict be avoided and that a humble and fraternal ‘subjection’ be shown to those who did not share his faith.”
The Encyclical signed in his first official trip outside Rome since the Covid-19 pandemic struck Italy, the Pope suggests ways in which humanity can build a more just, peaceful world, recognizing each other as brothers and sisters of one human family.
“If every human being possesses an inalienable dignity, if all people are my brothers and sisters, and if the world truly belongs to everyone, then it matters little whether my neighbor was born in my country or elsewhere,” he writes in the document.
The encyclical addressed to the entire community of Catholic faithful and people of good will around the world is divided into eight chapters where the Pope has shared his thoughts on political, social and economic realities in the world including the interconnected of humanity and creation realised due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The final chapters of the Encyclical encourage dialogue between different faiths to promote peace among their followers.
