Dear Catholic Community, and All Who Mourn,
We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a remarkable spiritual leader whose legacy transcended borders and faith traditions. Throughout his life, he championed the causes of compassion, justice, and human dignity, and his message resonated with the hearts of believers from all walks of life.
As members of the Silver Sage Foundation, we honor his tireless efforts to foster understanding between religious communities, particularly between Muslims and Christians. He embodied the message of Jesus (peace be upon him)—a call to humility, mercy, and solidarity with the vulnerable. His voice for the poor, the oppressed, and refugees around the world will remain a beacon of moral courage.
Pope Francis also reminded us of our shared responsibility to care for our common home, the Earth, and to rise above the politics of division in pursuit of a more compassionate humanity.
His leadership encouraged us to take meaningful steps toward bridging differences through genuine dialogue, mutual respect, and shared service. These values echo deeply within the Hizmet philosophy we follow, which is rooted in the teachings of Hocaefendi M. Fethullah Gülen, who beautifully expressed:
“Interfaith dialogue is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is the only way for humanity to reach mutual understanding, peace, and coexistence.”
In this spirit, it is our heartfelt wish that the legacy of Pope Francis will inspire an even deeper commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and collaborative efforts for peace—especially among the followers of the Abrahamic faiths, who share so much in history and in moral vision.
We offer our sincere condolences to the Catholic world, to our Christian brothers and sisters, and to all those who were touched by the Pope’s message of human fraternity. May his memory live on as a source of strength and a call to conscience for generations to come.
With peace and prayers