Prince Hassan highlights need for new humanitarian system at Vatican colloquium

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan, chairperson of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies' (RIIFS) board of trustees, presided over the sixth colloquium, titled "Creative Commonalities between Christianity and Islam", held at the Vatican last week. 

The colloquium, organised by the Royal Institute for Inter-faith Studies and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, took place on Wednesday and Thursday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the event, Prince Hassan emphasised the importance of reinforcing justice and peace through shared education and religious teachings to safeguard the dignity and rights of all individuals, contributing to the development of a new humanitarian system that enhances mutual cooperation.

Prince Hassan called for the establishment of a forum for dialogue that promotes trust-building and provides an opportunity for individuals living and interacting in a culturally diverse environment to acquaint themselves with one another. This platform would empower them to enhance new cultures based on collaboration, understanding and generating solutions to common challenges.

On the sidelines of the event, Pope Francis met with symposium participants and expressed his appreciation for Jordan's role in caring for Christians in Jordan and the region, particularly during periods marked by conflict and violence.

Pope Francis thanked Prince Hassan for the Royal Institute’s valuable contributions "under his enlightened patronage" in preserving and appreciating the Arab Christian heritage.

The final statement emphasised the need to respect human dignity while appreciating commonalities and recognising diversity.

The symposium is the sixth in a series of meetings initiated by the Royal Institute for Inter-faith Studies and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, alternating between Amman and Rome every two years since 2009.

Prince Hassan, chairperson of the RIIFS board of trustees, led the Islamic delegation, while Cardinal Miguel Ayuso, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, led the Christian delegation.