Bangladesh epitome of religious harmony

Bangladesh is one of the best examples of inter-religious harmony, said Pope Francis as he concludes three-day visit to Bangladesh on Saturday.

He prayed for the country by uttering the following words in Bangla: "Isshór Bangladeshké ashirbád korún!" [May God bless Bangladesh].

"Through dialogue, we can live a real community life that is full of harmony and peace," he told a meeting of the Catholic bishops, priests, nuns and brothers at Holy Rosary Church in the capital's Tejgaon in the morning.

Pope Francis left for the Vatican in the afternoon, leaving behind an eventful visit to Bangladesh on the second leg of Asia tour after Myanmar where the Rohingya crisis got a special focus. 

GOSSIP DESTROYS HARMONY

Addressing the meeting at Holy Rosary Church, Pope Francis said gossip is a kind of terrorism.

“It is just like the terrorists who don't say I am a terrorist, but leave bombs behind. The other person then again spread the gossip,” said Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church as well as the Vatican State.

Gossiping creates distrust and division, which eventually destroys harmony, said the 80-year-old pontiff.

The spiritual leader of the world's 1.29 billion Catholics also advised all to engage in dialogue among the communities for a harmonious living.

YOUTHS INSPIRED TO WORK IN UNISON FOR PEACE

At the youth gathering that drew some 8,000 students at Notre Dame College, Pope Francis inspired youths of various religions to work in unison for peace in the communities across the globe where violence and hatred are very widespread.   

Pope began his speech, appreciating the spirit of the youths and recalling the words of Bangladesh's National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, who referred the youth as “fearless”.

Pope Francis inspired the youths to keep moving forward as they are the sources of immense strength.

“But as you move forward, make sure that you choose the right path. What does this mean? It means 'journeying' through life, and not 'wandering aimlessly'.”

The pope has asked the youths to know how to welcome and accept those who act and think differently than them.

"When a people, a religion or a society turns into a 'little world', they lose the best that they have and plunge into a self-righteous mentality of 'I am good and you are bad'," Pope Francis added.

He also advised young students to have more interaction with their parents, not spending the entire day playing with phone.

“The elderly help us to appreciate the continuity of the generations. They bring with them memory and the wisdom of experience, which help us to avoid the repetition of past mistakes,” the pope said.  Addressing Pope Francis, Holy Cross College student Upasana Ruth Gomes said his compassion for the poor, refugees and migrants makes them proud.

However, she said, there are many youths who are frustrated and think their life has become meaningless. "Your [pope's] presence makes us optimistic," she said.

Expressing his joy to see the pope, Sajid Shahriar of Notre Dame College said he was inspired by pope's words to work for peace in the country.

“There is so much violence in various corners of the world. We can forget our communal thoughts and work together for our country, for peace,” he told The Daily Star.

Irina Sharmin of Holy Cross College said she was particularly encouraged by the words that the youths should keep moving forward, despite challenges, to work towards humanity.

In the morning, the pope visited a home of sick and elderly people run by the Missionaries of Charity at Tejgaon. He went from bed to bed in the wards where seriously-ill adults and children are kept. He prayed for them.