Department for External Church Relations
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Message of greetings by Patriarch Kirill to G20 Interfaith Forum was read out by Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alania
From September 12 to 14, 2021, Bologna, Italy, is hosting a representative G20 Interfaith Forum on the theme “Time to Heal: Peace among Cultures, Understanding between Religions.” The forum has brought together about three hundred and seventy religious leaders, politicians, parliamentarians, and representatives of science and culture.
With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, DECR deputy chairman Archbishop Leonid of Vladikavkaz and Alania and DECR’s secretary for interreligious relations, Rev. Dimitry Safonov, are delegated to the forum to represent the Russian Orthodox Church.
At the official opening of the forum in the Bologna Town Hall, a building of the 13th century, Archbishop Leonid read out an address from the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church to the participants in the forum. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna, read out a message of greetings from Pope Francis. There were also read out messages of greetings from President Sergio Mattarella of Italy and from Patriarch Tawadros II of the Coptic Church.
An informative report was presented by President Borut Pahor of Slovenia. (Slovenia is chairing the Council of Europe.) The opening ceremony was concluded by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka.
In addition to that, video-addresses were received from the President of the World Jewish Congress Ronald Lauder and from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. The participants also heard presentation of Prof. Alessandro Pajno, president of the Foundation of Religious Studies (FSCIRE) based in Bologna. This year it has been the main organizer of this forum.
The Interfaith Forum precedes the sixteenth G20 meeting due to take place on October 30-31, 2021, in Rome, the capital of Italy.
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