"Christians and Muslims are called to be bearers of hope": Vatican Statement on Ramadan

“The divine assistance that we need and seek, especially in circumstances like those of the current pandemic, is manifold: God’s mercy, pardon, providence and other spiritual and material gifts,” it stated.

“Yet, what we need most in these times, is hope. At this time, then, we think it fitting to share with you some reflections on this virtue.”

Hope goes beyond optimism, the message explained, adding that hope has its basis in the truth that “God loves us and therefore cares for us through his providence.’

“Hope arises from our belief that all our problems and trials have a meaning, a value and a purpose, however difficult or impossible it may be for us to understand the reason for them or to find a way out of them,” it said.

The message said that human fraternity can be a source of hope, especially when people of different faiths show generous solidarity to one another in times of natural disasters, conflicts, or wars.

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“Hope also carries with it belief in the goodness present in the heart of every person. Many times, in situations of difficulty and despair, help, and the hope it brings, can come from those whom we least expect,” it said.

The statement quoted a passage from Pope Francis’ most recent encyclical, Fratelli tutti, on hope.

“I invite everyone to renewed hope, ‘for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning,” Pope Francis wrote.

“Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love … and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’ (Gaudium et spes, 1). Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope.”