Transcending Religious Boundaries, United in Faith and Heart
With Compassion and Universal Love, the Museum of World Religions Prays for the Pope
Pope Francis' recent hospitalization has drawn concern from believers worldwide. Venerable Hsin Tao, founder of the Museum of World Religions (MWR) and founding abbot of the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society (LJM), deeply admires the Pope's contributions to interfaith dialogue. Despite being in seclusion for the regular LJM Spring Zen retreat, the Venerable immediately expressed his concern and instructed that lamps be offered in prayer at the Golden Buddha Hall of the LJM Sheng Shan Temple, wishing the Pope peace of body and mind and a speedy recovery. Venerable Hsin Tao also called on all religious communities to pray for the Pope together, using the light of faith to convey blessings and compassion, embodying the spirit of harmony and coexistence among religions.
Highly praised for his monumental contributions, the Pope’s ecological efforts have been relentless
Venerable Hsin Tao stated that the Pope is not only the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church but also a pioneer in environmental protection. He has long advocated for climate justice and ecological protection, passionately calling for global efforts to safeguard the Earth in his encyclical Laudato Si'. Deeply committed to addressing climate change, the Pope invited the Veneable and other religious representatives to participate in the Faith and Science: Toward COP26 event ahead of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Faith knows no boundaries, and love makes no distinctions. Venerable Hsin Tao has long advocated the concept of "spiritual ecology." During the lead-up to the COP26 conference, he offered sincere prayers for the global environment and joined interfaith leaders in signing a joint appeal. Upon learning of Pope Francis' hospitalization during his retreat, Venerable Hsin Tao once again responded with the power of faith. Through the compassionate act of lighting lamps in prayer, he extends interfaith blessings, wishing the Pope peace and well-being in both body and mind. He also hopes that the world will be warmed by the light of faith.
In addition to the Venerable’s prayer, on the afternoon of the 23rd, the MWR incorporated prayers for Pope Francis into its event, The Beauty of Christian Sacred Music, at the museum’s Curator’s Lecture Hall. The keynote speaker, Che Yen-Chiang, led participants in praying for the Pope using a Latin passage from Isaiah 53:5, transforming their heartfelt wishes into an invisible force of support. In that moment, religion knew no boundaries—it became a bridge for love and blessings to be shared.
Highly praised for his monumental contributions, the Pope’s ecological efforts have been relentless
Venerable Hsin Tao stated that the Pope is not only the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church but also a pioneer in environmental protection. He has long advocated for climate justice and ecological protection, passionately calling for global efforts to safeguard the Earth in his encyclical Laudato Si'. Deeply committed to addressing climate change, the Pope invited the Veneable and other religious representatives to participate in the Faith and Science: Toward COP26 event ahead of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Faith knows no boundaries, and love makes no distinctions. Venerable Hsin Tao has long advocated the concept of "spiritual ecology." During the lead-up to the COP26 conference, he offered sincere prayers for the global environment and joined interfaith leaders in signing a joint appeal. Upon learning of Pope Francis' hospitalization during his retreat, Venerable Hsin Tao once again responded with the power of faith. Through the compassionate act of lighting lamps in prayer, he extends interfaith blessings, wishing the Pope peace and well-being in both body and mind. He also hopes that the world will be warmed by the light of faith.
In addition to the Venerable’s prayer, on the afternoon of the 23rd, the MWR incorporated prayers for Pope Francis into its event, The Beauty of Christian Sacred Music, at the museum’s Curator’s Lecture Hall. The keynote speaker, Che Yen-Chiang, led participants in praying for the Pope using a Latin passage from Isaiah 53:5, transforming their heartfelt wishes into an invisible force of support. In that moment, religion knew no boundaries—it became a bridge for love and blessings to be shared.