Pursuant to the letter of the Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi to Pope Francis, a response letter is received from the Vatican.
The letter is as follows:
From the Vatican, 21 October 2014
Your Excellency,
You kindly addressed to his Holiness Pope Francis a letter on 21 august 2014 (N. 4356-150137), firmly condemning the atrocities committed by the so-called “Islamic State”, in particular Christians, Yezidis and other religious and ethnic groups.
Pope Francis thanks you for your letter and for your position, because a clear stand by religious leaders against violence, especially the one committed in the name of a religion, is a must and a necessity. In fact, believers need and wait for a sound guidance from their religious leaders, especially in troubled times.
On the other hand, I agree with you that the condemnation of the injustices and atrocities that have taken place or may take place in the future, should be clear and unanimous, so as to give a credible witness to the fact that religions should promote justice, peace and fraternity.
May I assure you that the Catholic Church will continue under the guidance of Pope Francis to promote and defend human dignity and the rights deriving from it.
I take this occasion to send best wishes to you for peace and good health.
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran
His Eminence’s Message to his Excellency Pope Francis
