Key Points
- Church youth leader Ian Epondulan shares condolences from religious leaders of diverse faiths in response to the passing of Pope Francis.
- Various faith groups, including the Blacktown Network of Faith Communities, feel that Pope Francis has been instrumental in promoting inclusivity within their initiatives.
- Epondulan believes that Pope Francis' humility, his inclusive spirit, and his profound love for the environment and the world will leave a lasting legacy.
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'Even in his death, he unites us': Pope Francis's openness to multi-faith and humility make everyone feel welcome
SBS Filipino
16:01
"I received many messages from different members of other faiths when the news of Pope Francis broke," the devout Catholic and volunteer shares.
They have expressed their sorrow over the passing of the Pope, he says.
"One of the Muslim leaders sent me their condolences and told me about how Pope Francis was a figure of inter-religious dialogue, or how he connected with people of different faiths, and how they could identify with this holy man.
Another member of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared with me a video of how the leader of their Church met with Pope Francis in the Vatican some time ago and exchanged hospitality and commonality between our different Christian traditions," Ian reveals.
Epondulan is a member of the Blacktown Network of Faith Communities, a collaboration between people of different faiths and different religions in the Blacktown local government area who work on different projects together to foster peace and harmony in their local community.
"It's not just for Catholics, the Pope spoke to the world. He spoke to all the leaders of different nations."
"His papacy tried to make people more inclusive, and not steer away from their faith.
There's an emphasis on blessings for those who are of the same sex, but at the end of the day, he did not institute that the marriage of same-sex couples was valid."
It's a legacy of his Papacy. How Pope Francis was able to travel to different parts of the world and reach out to the margins.Ian Epondulan
He adds that the Pontiff was a key figure in inter-religious dialogue, noting how his connections with people of different faiths had a profound impact on many.
"Once a month, our communities of different faiths come together just to walk in solidarity with refugees, and Pope Francis was a great component of people who have fled their lands."
In addition to the Pope's humility and openness to all, Ian highlighted that his efforts to care for the world were also of great significance.
"It's evident in his name why he chose St. Francis, because it's based on Saint Francis of Assisi, who was a saint in solidarity with the poor and also in the care of creation animals.
Pope Francis's words allowed us to see and talk about our common home, the Earth."
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