For all these reasons I have invited representatives of the world's religions to come to Assisi, the town of Saint Francis, on 24 January 2002, to pray for peace. In doing so we will show that genuine religious belief is an inexhaustible wellspring of mutual respect and harmony among peoples; indeed it is the chief antidote to violence and conflict. At this time of great distress, the human family needs to be reminded of our unfailing reasons for hope. It is precisely this hope that we intend to proclaim in Assisi, asking Almighty God—in the beautiful phrase attributed to Saint Francis himself—to make each of us a channel of his peace. Who does the Pope consider to be the Almighty? Is the God of the Christians and the Bhuddists one and the same?
Frankly, I am terribly bothered by this.
Who does the Pope consider to be the Almighty? Is the God of the Christians and the Bhuddists one and the same? Actually, the Pope made some comments (I believe in Threshold of Hope) to the effect that Buddhism was essentially atheistic.
The Buddhists were highly offended.