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Question

Dearest Father Angelo,

I’ve been thinking a lot about whether I should write to you or not, in the end I decided to do it, I belong to the Catholic faith and the longer I live the more I’m convinced about it.

But I’ve ended up with a question that  troubles me every time.

I have unending admiration for Pope John Paul II and I would like to know a Christianly plausible explanation of the fact he kissed the Qur’an

And now Father Angelo, honestly I really want you to answer to me and I would be very sad if I didn’t  receive any reply from you.

With affection and admiration, your devoted spiritual son Giuseppe

The Priest’s answer

Dear Giuseppe,

1. The kiss of the Qur’an was a captatio benevolentiae, that is a gesture that aimed to attract Islamic people’s sympathy.

With this gesture John Paul II, a true God’s man, wanted to be close to their faith, to respect it, even though it is incorrect and incomplete.

We have to respect everyone’s good faith.

2. With this gesture the Pope implicitly invited  to reciprocate with the Church and to create a climate of respect and peace between the different religions.

3. At the same time, he manifested the greatness of Christianity, strong in its faith in Christ, God made Man.

It’s really Christ who teaches to do so: to approach even those who are in the wrong, to embrace, to forgive, to reconcile.

4. Obviously, all of this must be accompanied with the preaching of the Gospel in due way and of course, saying the whole truth, also the one contained in yesterday’s Mass (Monday, 16th week in ordinary time, even year): “ The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here!” (Mt 12,42).

He is greater because he is God.

5. The Church must carry out this announcement with all its might. If it didn’t do so, it would fail in its primary task.

It is Jesus Christ who asks it.

It is charity Christ placed in our hearts that urges us to make everyone participate in the secret store of wealth in the field, that is Christ.

How many people are dead martyrs in the desire to communicate  (not to impose) this wealth!

Woe to us if we don’t do it: “For if I am a preacher of the good news, I have no cause for pride in this; because I am forced to do so, for a curse is on me if I do not!” (1 Cor 9,16).

I hope you will be a witness to Christ too, a person who fascinates while he makes people know, love and own Him.

That’s why I assure you my prayer and I bless you.

Father Angelo