“No one is saved alone.” — Pope Francis

The recent passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a papacy defined by moral courage and spiritual leadership across religious, political, and cultural lines. For the global interreligious community, his voice was more than symbolic, it was a compass. A compass that pointed persistently towards dialogue, justice, and compassion. For KAICIID, an intergovernmental organization established with the Holy See among its founding members, his legacy reaffirms our shared mission: to build bridges of understanding and solidarity in a fractured world.

Even as the European Policy Dialogue Forum (EPDF) Expert Meeting took place on 8–9 April in Rome, within the hallowed halls of the Pontifical Antonianum University, the enduring presence of Pope Francis’s teachings was palpable. Rooted in the Franciscan tradition, the venue offered a symbolic home for reflection, humility, and action. The meeting itself served as a preparatory step ahead of the 6th EPDF to be held in Geneva this November, focusing on two of the defining issues of our time: the erosion of social cohesion and the intensifying climate crisis.

We brought together 32 experts representing 10 different faith and belief traditions from across Europe, ensuring that 30% were under the age of 30. From rabbis and imams to mayors, climate activists, and educators, these voices offered deeply grounded perspectives shaped by lived experiences at the frontlines of conflict, exclusion, and environmental degradation.

Pope Francis’s vision of integral ecology, laid out in Laudato Si’, reminds us that our care for one another is inseparable from our care for the planet. This is not an exclusively Christian message. Across the world’s major faiths, from the Buddhist principle of interbeing to the Islamic concept of khalifa (stewardship), from the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam to the Hindu ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“the world is one family”), there is a shared call to responsibility and connection.

Yet we face a moment in Europe when multilateralism is under strain, polarization is deepening, and vulnerable communities, particularly migrants, refugees, and religious minorities, are too often targeted or forgotten. Add to this the consequences of extractive economies and political short-termism, and we are left with a fragile moral landscape that needs urgent repair.

This is the moment in which KAICIID, in collaboration with local partners, faith-based institutions, and civil society actors, continues to step forward—not as the sole actor, but as a convener of trust. With the EPDF, we offer a unique space for reflection and honest conversation, where diverse perspectives can converge in pursuit of shared solutions.

The legacy of Pope Francis, his insistence that “fraternity is the new frontier,” reminds us that the work ahead is both spiritual and social. As we move toward the 6th EPDF in Geneva, our compass remains firmly aligned with that vision. Dialogue is not a luxury, it is a necessity. And peace, as Pope Francis so often reminded us, must begin with encounter.

At this turning point in the Catholic Church’s history, we also express our heartfelt support to the newly elected Pope. His inaugural messages of peace, humility, and unity echo the very principles that form the foundation of KAICIID’s work—interreligious and intercultural dialogue as tools for fostering understanding, inclusion, and justice.

This moment not only renews our collective resolve; it also strengthens our bond with the Holy See, a founding member of our intergovernmental organization and a long-standing moral compass in our pursuit of dialogue and peace. As the world looks to this new chapter of spiritual leadership, we at KAICIID remain firmly committed to our shared mission: creating spaces where dialogue becomes action, and where unity is forged not in uniformity, but in compassion across differences.

As we approach the 6th EPDF in Geneva, we invite all stakeholders—faith leaders, policymakers, civil society, and youth—to join us in shaping this shared journey: where dialogue meets action, and together we shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

We move forward with renewed purpose guided by legacy, inspired by new leadership, and committed to the sacred task of building peace, together.