Pope Francis was known for his worldwide commitment to build bridges between religious communities. He met publicly with leaders of diverse beliefs and had discussions of substance and collaboration, an unthinkable choice in centuries past.
He said, “If we go in search of other people, other cultures, other ways of thinking, other religions, we come out of ourselves and begin that beautiful adventure that is called ‘dialogue.’”
This legacy of Pope Francis also touches Central Minnesota’s faith leaders who have been inspired by the pope’s desire to forge new relationships, open ecumenical doors and advance the cause of peace.
Kateri Mancini, director of the Office of Social Concerns for the Diocese of St. Cloud, said, “Pope Francis, in his gentle yet persistent way, reminded us many times that the divine spark, however named or understood, flickers in every human heart. His call for interfaith dialogue wasn’t just a diplomatic exercise, but a profound recognition of our shared humanity. As he said, ‘True dialogue is rooted in the conviction that others have something worthwhile to say, and that all have something to contribute.’
“Looking around our community, I see echoes of that sentiment in the relationships that have been built by the Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders group and other collaborative efforts across faith traditions. They remind me that the path to peace isn’t about erasing differences, but about weaving both our differences and our similarities together with mutual respect and understanding.
“Pope Francis not only spoke of dialogue and peace across traditions, but he lived it by his authentic example as well. I am grateful for his leadership and witness to multi-faith dialogue, and blessed by the fruits of it within our own diocese!”
In his passing, Pope Francis will long be remembered for his understanding that interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for contributing to peace in the world. That advocacy echoed throughout Central Minnesota. A few members of the Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders shared their appreciation for his legacy.
Bishop Dee Pederson sent a message from the Southwest Synod, Minnesota, for the ELCA Lutheran Church. Before being elected bishop, Bishop Pederson served as pastor for many years at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, where one of her passions was leadership in interfaith dialogue.
Bishop Pederson said, “I give thanks for the life, ministry and witness of Pope Francis. His compassion, mercy, work for justice, and his respect and love for all people reflect the way of Jesus for all of us. His servant leadership is a model for everyone, especially those of us called to leadership roles in the Church.
“Pope Francis was committed to being in relationship with people of all faiths. I had had the privilege of participating in the interfaith work of the St. Cloud Diocese for many years. I was especially grateful for his contributions to the dialogues between Lutherans and Catholics and our work for the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. We remember his participation, along with the Lutheran World Federation, in the ecumenical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on Oct. 31, 2016.
“I pray for all those who are part of the Roman Catholic Church and all who grieve the passing of Pope Francis. As we are in dialogue with you, I give thanks for our common Easter faith and our continued partnerships locally and around the world.
“What a gift for this servant leader, Pope Francis, to have been able to give his final sermon on Easter Sunday, and then pass from this life with Alleluias still ringing in his heart.”
Rev. Darin Seaman, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in St. Cloud, and a member of the Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders, echoed those sentiments.
Rev. Seaman said, “Pope Francis kindly reminded us, by the way he lived, that humility and service are instrumental in the life of faith. He was gracious in the way he reached out to people from all walks of life. He embodied love of neighbor and will be missed by the interreligious community. My hope and prayer is that we will follow in Christ’s footsteps through the example of Pope Francis and countless others.”
Ayan Omar said, “As a young Somali-Muslim American refugee, I deeply admired Pope Francis’s openness, his dedication to building bridges within communities, and his unwavering emphasis on our shared humanity, on love and togetherness. The news of his death hit hard, especially here in St. Cloud. It felt like a light had gone out. I remember seeing him on TV, hearing him speak of refugees, of people like me, and suddenly, I felt seen and acknowledged.
“Here, where safety and belonging are often elusive for those carrying additional burdens, his words about walking alongside the underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged demonstrated that when people with power, any kind of power, help others, life improves for everyone. By leveraging our individual capacity and influence-whether it’s formal authority, expertise, relationships, or information-to address societal challenges, we not only improve lives but also strengthen communities and foster a more equitable society.
“Pope Francis wasn’t just a figurehead; he conveyed the genuine feeling that someone powerful and respected understood the daily struggles of ordinary people. He understood the human experience. I particularly remember the “Document on Human Fraternity,” that powerful agreement with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. It wasn’t just a document; it was a promise, a vision of a world where we could live together peacefully, with mutual respect. It resonated deeply, reminding us that despite our differences, we are connected.
“Now, with him gone, I worry about who will carry that torch, who will remind us that we are all part of the same human family. But I also feel a responsibility, a call to action. His teachings and example must continue to inspire us, especially in places like our public schools, where the future is being shaped. We must continue to build the kind of world he envisioned, a place where understanding and compassion prevail, a place that feels like home for everyone.”
Ron Marrott is from the Baha’i Spiritual Assembly in St. Cloud, and another member of the Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders.