Pope Francis’ Culture of Dialogue as Pathway to Interfaith Encounter: A Special Focus on Islam

Abstract

Pope Francis’ leadership has stimulated several debates within the Catholic Church and even in larger segments of the public. One of the most prominently debated issues is the one con-cerning the relationship with people of different religions and, more specifically, with the world of Islam. Since 2013, the Argentinean pontiff appeared to be unambiguously committed to find-ing an alternative pathway to the much-publicized category of ‘clash of civilisations’, which, in the last few decades, has been the reference paradigm in Christian–Muslim relationships. Papal initiatives, gestures and journeys have consistently aimed at a ‘culture of dialogue and encounter’. Nevertheless, the present pope’s open attitude has encountered severe criticism even inside cer-tain circles of the Catholic world, which have accused him of compromising on theological issues. However, Pope Francis is highly appreciated by leaders of other traditions, including Muslims. In the face of such debate, Bergoglio has often recalled that all his statements and actions are deeply rooted in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The present article wishes to show how Bergoglio’s engagement to establish constructive dialogical rapports with Muslims is an effective way towards the real implementation of the Council while opening avenues for what could be defined as ‘interreligious synodality’.