Vatican City, 6 May 2020

PONTIFICIUM CONSILIUM 

 N. Prot. 399/20 

Dear Friends, 

In compliance with the initiative of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity and the appeal by Pope Francis on 3 May 2020, the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue invites believers of all religions and people of goodwill to spiritually unite themselves in a Day of prayer, fasting and works of charity, to implore the divine to help humanity in overcoming the pandemic caused by coronavirus. 

This day of prayer fixed for 14 May, as is understandable so as to prevent the risks of contagion, does not include any common public manifestation but rather will be lived by each one in his/her own interiority, placing himself/ herself before God and his/her conscience. 

We shall however be united in living the universal values of prayer, fasting and acts of charity as “a witness to the greatness of faith in God that unites divided hearts and elevates the human soul” (Document of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together). This is not, surely, a time for indifference, selfishness, divisions, because the whole world is suffering and must unite itself in facing the pandemic (cfr. Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi Easter Message, 12 April, 2020). 

Grateful as we are for your kind attention, we send our cordial greetings. 

Yours sincerely,

Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ 

President 

Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kanganamalage 

Secretary