Dalai Lama Backs Pope’s Call for Dialogue on West Asia

All religions preach tolerance and peace, and violence is universally condemned, the Dalai Lama said in a post on X.

“I wholeheartedly support the powerful call for peace made by the Holy Father, Pope Leo, during the Palm Sunday Mass. His call to lay down arms and renounce violence resonated deeply with me because it points to the essence of what all major religions teach,” he said.

“In fact, whether we look at Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, or any of the world’s great spiritual traditions, the message is fundamentally the same: love, compassion, tolerance, and self-discipline. Violence cannot find a true home in any of these teachings. History has shown us over and over that violence only leads to more violence and is never a lasting basis for peace.”

He also said that conflict resolution should be based on dialogue.

“A lasting solution to conflict, including those we see in the Middle East or between Russia and Ukraine, must be based on dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect, with the understanding that we are all brothers at the deepest level. I call and pray for an immediate end to the violence and conflict.” he said.

At the Palm Sunday ceremony marking the beginning of Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV said that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who make war, he rejects them,” according to CNN.

When asked to comment on the Pope’s statement, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there was nothing wrong with leaders calling for prayer in difficult times.

“Our nation was founded nearly 250 years ago on Judeo-Christian values. We have seen presidents, War Department leaders, and our troops pray during the most turbulent times in our nation’s history. I don’t think there is anything wrong with our military leaders or the president calling on the American people to pray for our soldiers and those serving overseas. In fact, it is a very noble thing to do,” he said.