Dall’incontro alla fraternità. Papa Francesco e i rapporti con l’Islam

This article analyzes Pope Francis’s approach to relations between Christianity and Islam, highlighting a paradigm shift from mere interreligious encounter to a concrete practice of human fraternity. Drawing on the Second Vatican Council—particularly Nostra aetate—and on Pope Francis’s magisterium, gestures, and apostolic journeys, the study shows how dialogue and evangelization are understood as mutually enriching rather than opposed. Central to this vision is an authentic dialogue grounded in sincerity, respect for religious identity, and shared commitment to justice and peace. The article traces the historical and theological foundations of Catholic–Muslim dialogue, emphasizing the role of encounter in overcoming prejudice and fostering cooperation within contemporary religious pluralism. Particular attention is devoted to Pope Francis’s pastoral and diplomatic initiatives, including his visits to countries with Muslim majorities and his consistent condemnation of violence and religious fundamentalism. The culmination of this trajectory is the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together (Abu Dhabi, 2019), signed with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar. Interpreted as a landmark in Christian–Muslim relations, the Document proposes fraternity as a universal anthropological and ethical category, addressed not only to believers but to all people of goodwill. The article concludes that Pope Francis’s vision of interreligious dialogue represents a practical and transformative path toward peace, social cohesion, and shared responsibility in a globalized world.