In between his pastoral meetings, His Holiness was asked to join a special meeting organized by Religions for Peace to prepare a statement on religious extremism. The meeting brought together, among others, the representatives of the Holy See, the General Secretary of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna and the representative of the General Secretary of the United Nations.

His Holiness said that he was glad to address the distinguished audience as a President of Religions for Peace and reminded them that extremism contradicts the teachings of all religions. In view of the current situation in the world, the Catholicos invited Muslim religious leaders to lead the way and show how the Holy Qur’an is being misinterpreted and Islam misrepresented as an exclusivist ideology. He then recommended that all religions promote education for building inclusive communities.

The participants highly appreciated the intervention of His Holiness, which prompted fruitful discussion.