Pope urges dialogue in Myanmar at talks with Suu Kyi

Image
AFP Vatican City
Last Updated : Oct 28 2013 | 8:22 PM IST
Pope Francis called for inter-religious dialogue in Myanmar today at an audience for Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi in which the two also discussed her long campaign for democracy.
Francis "expressed his appreciation for the opposition leader's non-violent engagement in the cause of peace and democracy" during the meeting, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.
"The pope said he would pray for Myanmar, for inter-religious dialogue in the country. He also said the Church would be at the service of everyone in Myanmar without discriminating."
This was the first meeting between Francis and the historic Myanmar opposition leader, who has been criticised for not speaking out enough against ethnic and religious tensions in her homeland.
Myanmar has been rocked by sectarian unrest in recent months, prompting growing international concern.
Around 250 people have been killed and more than 140,000 left homeless in several outbreaks of Buddhist-Muslim violence around the country since June 2012, mostly in western Rakhine state.
Catholics are a small minority in Myanmar and mainly live in the northeast of the country.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 28 2013 | 8:22 PM IST

Next Story