Transcription
Following the peace event at the Colosseum, the Pope concluded a meeting with leaders of other religions. They all came to the Vatican to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the document Nostra Etate. This text marked a shift in the Catholic Church's attitude towards other religions. Rome stopped focusing on their differences and began to concentrate on what unites them, for example, the transcendent meaning of life in an increasingly secularized world.
In fact, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that this is the role of religions today. "At this crucial moment in history, we are entrusted with a great mission, to reawaken in all men and women their sense of humanity and of the sacred." The Pope also reminded everyone that religions are for peace, not for fanaticism, because for all those who believe in God, the rest of men and women are not strangers, but brothers and sisters. Nostra Etate teaches that we cannot truly call on God, the Father of all, if we refuse to treat in a brotherly or sisterly way any man or woman created in the image of God.
The document Nostra Etate was one of the shortest of the Second Vatican Council, but at the same time one of the most revolutionary. The initial idea was to reflect on the relationship between the Catholic Church and Judaism, but in the end it went much further, addressing the relationship with all other religions.
Pope Leo brought a message of peace and Christian Muslim coexistence to Lebanon and the greater Middle East today. On his first full day in Lebanon on Monday, Pope Leo visited a pilgrimage site of the Maronite Catholics, the largest Eastern Catholic community in the Middle East. In his speech, he once again called for peace in Lebanon and in the world, but also called for love to win over hate, a message of peace. He is expected to repeat an inter-religious meeting with the leaders of some of the many religious denominations in this country, and especially a message of hope.
"Dear brothers and sisters, I am deeply moved and immensely grateful to stand among you today in this blessed land, a land exalted by the prophets of the Old Testament, who beheld in its towering cedars emblems of the righteous soul that flourishes beneath heaven's vigilant gaze, a land where the echo of the Logos has never fallen silent, but continues to call forth from century to century those who desire to open their hearts to the living God."
In his post-cynatal apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in Medio Oriente," signed here in Beirut in 2012, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that the Church's universal nature and vocation require that she engage in dialogue with the members of other religions. In the Middle East, this dialogue is based on the spiritual and historical bonds uniting Christians to Jews and Muslims. It is a dialogue which is not primarily dictated by pragmatic political or social considerations, but by underlying theological concerns which have to do with faith.
"Dear friends, your presence here today in this remarkable place where minarets and church bell towers stand side by side, yet both reach skyward, testifies to the enduring faith of this land and the steadfast devotion of its people to the 'One God'. Here in this beloved land, may every bell toll, every adhan, every call to prayer blend into a single soaring hymn, not only to glorify the merciful Creator of heaven and earth, but also to lift a heartfelt prayer for the divine gift of peace."
For many years, and especially in recent times, the eyes of the world have been fixed on the Middle East, the cradle of the Abrahamic religions observing the arduous journey and the unceasing quest for the precious gift of peace. At times, humanity looks at the Middle East with a sense of trepidation and disheartenment in the face of such complex and long-standing conflicts. Yet in the midst of these struggles, a sense of hopefulness and encouragement can be found when we focus on what unites us, our common humanity, and our belief in a god of love and mercy.
Adhan = Recitation of the Qur'an
Pope Leo has joined other religious leaders in Turkey with a message of reconciliation on his first trip abroad as pontiff. The Pope has been taking part in a service with Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the Orthodox Church. The two signed a joint declaration to heal a nearly 1,000-year-old rift between their churches. The pontiff also joined Muslim leaders on a tour of Istanbul's Blue Mosque, and Pope Leo later held a mass attended by thousands in an arena in Istanbul.
"I think the visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace. And so I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today and that together we can continue to offer in our witness as we continue on this apostolical voyage."
"We've seen the Pope visit the Blue Mosque today with Muslim leaders. He's just held a Catholic Mass in Istanbul. What stood out to you so far about his trip in particular?"
"We hear the message from Pope Leo all of the time, but also here on this trip to Turkey, and that is a call for peace. It's a call for peace and a call for people of all faiths to work together for peace. But then on this trip in particular, I found myself moved by watching the Ecumenical Prayer Service that was the archaeological site at the historic site of the Council of Nicaea. And so I think it's important that here we're hearing not just his everyday message for peace and unity, but a very particular note on Christian unity and what it is that binds Christians around the world who are part of many different Christian denominations and communities."
"The fact that so many other religious leaders, ecumenical leaders, both at that prayer service and then today in the private meeting that happened between Pope Leo and a number of religious leaders, including members of the World Council of Churches and the World Lutheran Federation and the Anglican Communion. I think it's really remarkable what we're seeing and to see this at the site of what was the first Ecumenical Council for Christianity."
Truly a historic visit the first time a pope has been to Algeria, but going into day one of the visit, there was a lot of focus on Donald Trump's targeted attacks on the pope and his calls for peace in the US-Israel War in Iran. How much was that feud talked about there in Algeria? It was part of the conversation, but I wouldn't say that it was the focus. The first time a pope visits Algeria is a really big deal here. This is a Muslim country. The official state religion is Islam. Ninety nine percent of the population are Muslims. The Catholic population is tiny. We're talking less than 10,000 people. So this is a really big deal. The pope went to the Great Mosque of Algiers and he took off his shoes and was accompanied by the rector.
Pope Leo is doubling down on his message of peace as he wraps up a historic trip to Algeria. -"Although we have different beliefs", -The pontiff meeting with both Christians and Muslim leaders in the African nation, calling for unity between all faiths. "We can live together in peace. And so I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today. I know that in Europe there are many times fears that are present, but oftentimes generated by people who are against immigration and trying to keep out people who may be from another country, another religion, another race. And in that sense, I would say that we all need to work together. One of the values of this trip is precisely to raise the world's attention to the possibility that dialogue and friendship between Muslims and Christians is possible."
The pope started making up Bible verses in his bid to make Trump look bad. "Jesus told us, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, but woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.'" Now Jesus did say blessed are the peacemakers, but the rest of it, well I can only assume the Pope was auditioning for a spot on "The View" where they too just make stuff up. And I'd prefer, honestly, to talk about the love and the kindness and the grace of God. But guys, we can't skip the hard parts of Scripture. We try to preach the whole counsel of God. We are living in dark times that require wisdom and discernment. And one way you can spot a fake, a counterfeit, is by studying the real deal. So understand, as we like contrast the counterfeit Christ with the real Christ of Scripture, this is key.
Whatever God creates, Satan counterfeits. Can you say that with me? Whatever God Creates, Satan Counterfeits. That is his playbook. Copy, paste, counterfeit. Satan will counterfeit peace. He will counterfeit resurrection. He will even counterfeit one world religion. You're like, "How's this guy going to get power?" I mean, as a political leader. Well, he'll have the help of his sidekick, a religious leader, who John describes in verse 11. He says, "Then I saw a second beast coming out of the earth", not the sea. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a what? Dragon. Notice the second beast looks peaceful. He looks like a lamb. He looks like Jesus, but he talks like a dragon. In other words, on the outside, he will appear meek and mild, just like Jesus, the Lamb of God. Some sort of spiritual leader or guru emphasizing "love and peace and flowers and unicorns." But out of his mouth come the words of hell. Beast number two. "It exercised all the authority of the first beasts on its behalf, and made the earth in its inhabitants do what? Worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed."
So we've got two beasts here. Everyone say beast one. [Beast one] That's the antichrist. Now say beast two. [Beast Two] That's the false prophet. They're a dynamic duo. Better. They're a demonic duo. The false prophet is going to set up one world religion designed to deceive the world and get them to worship the antichrist. Now this is fascinating because Jesus predicted this in Matthew 24. He said, "Understand, for false Christs," that's the antichrist, "and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders," counterfeit miracles, "so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." And so the false prophet is going to bring together followers from all the different world religions. Everything from Islam to Hinduism to Jehovah's Witnesses to Judaism and build, he's going to say, "Can we just get along? Let's just build a bridge between all of these. It's called syncretism. "Let's sync up all these faiths and worship the beast together." #Better Together Yeah?
Have you ever been to like a school assembly or maybe you've been to an ecumenical service and they invite like the faith leaders of the town, you know, they're little, they have like a rabbi and an imam and a priest. They also sit together on the stage and pretend we're all praying to the same God. And Christians, you can pray too. Just don't say the name Jesus. False. That is false religion designed by the false prophet. Do not be deceived, church. Jesus said, "I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life. No Jesus said, "I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Amen? Give God a praise if you believe it. That's the truth. We're not being mean. We're not kicking anybody. But if you say everything is true, you're going to fall for anything.
The anti-Christ and false prophet are going to work hand in hand. Understand. Watch. Politics and religion will finally fuse together. I want to connect the dots of what's happening. What you are seeing now is the formation of the unholy trinity. See, just like there is a holy trinity. You guys know what the trinity is. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, there is an unholy trinity. Satan, the anti-Christ and the false prophet. So instead of God the Father, you have the dragon or Satan. Instead of Christ, you have anti-Christ. Instead of the Holy Spirit, you have the false prophet. And notice in the holy, in the real trinity, the authentic holy trinity. What is the job of the Holy Spirit? He points people to Jesus. What's the job of the false prophet? He points people to the anti-Christ. Remember, when Jesus was here, he pointed everybody to the Father. In the unholy trinity, the anti-Christ points everybody to Satan. So remember, whatever God creates, Satan what? Counterfeits. He does not have a creative bone in his body. Copy, paste, counterfeit. Satan just comes up with ways to mimic God and deceive people.