Fratelli tutti (All Brothers) is the third encyclical of Pope Francis, subtitled “on fraternity and social friendship”. In the document, Francis states that the COVID-19 pandemic has proven the failure of the world to work together during this crisis. The document was signed on 3 October 2020, on the occasion of Pope Francis’s visit to the tomb of his namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi, and was published the following day, the saint’s feast day. This encyclical now has its own website.
The encyclical is inspired by the Abu Dhabi declaration. In the encyclical, Pope Francis states the Abu Dhabi declaration “was no mere diplomatic gesture, but a reflection born of dialogue and common commitment.” Fratelli tutti says: “we, the believers of the different religions, know that our witness to God benefits our societies” and “We Christians ask that, in those countries where we are a minority, we be guaranteed freedom, even as we ourselves promote that freedom for non-Christians in places where they are a minority.”
The Pope considers interreligious dialogue as a way to bring “friendship, peace and harmony,” adding that without “openness to the Father of all,” fraternity cannot be achieved. Francis adds that the foundation of modern totalitarianism is the “denial of the transcendent dignity of the human person,” and states that violence “has no basis in religious convictions, but rather in their deformities.” However, dialogue of any kind does not involve the “watering down or concealing of our deepest convictions.” To Francis, sincere and humble adoration of God “bears fruit not in discrimination, hatred and violence, but in respect for the sacredness of life.”
Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti now has its own website.
Promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and communicated in an announcement today, the site can be visited at www.fratellitutti.va or by entering the Dicastery’s homepage, www.humandevelopment.va.
Created with the collaboration of the Dicastery for Communication, the site, in English, Spanish and Italian, “aims to spread the message about the fraternity and social friendship of the Encyclical in a capillary way, deepening and making known all the aspects proper to the text and the magisterium of the Holy Father in this sense,” explained the press release.
Noting the page is “intuitive and quick to consult,” the Dicastery says it contains numerous resources in other languages, including French, Portuguese, Arabic and Chinese.
On the homepage, there is a menu in orange, like the actual printed Encyclical, which is divided into the following constantly updated sections:
- “Fratelli tutti” with a general introduction;
- “The Encyclical”, where it is possible to download the text in the available languages and to review the video of the presentation conference of 4 October, held in the New Hall of the Synod in the Vatican;
- “Reflections”, which includes comments and analysis from the Superiors of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, from representatives of local Churches, international organizations and other networks and actors; as well as international experts;
- “News”, in which articles, videos and interviews related to Fratelli tutti are presented;
- “Resources”, which gathers infographics and other material for in-depth study and reflection, such as the “Prayer to the Creator” expressly composed for the Encyclical.
Finally, the pages contain a toolbox with images to promote the website on social media, and at the bottom of every page, there is a link to Twitter for direct sharing of the sections of interest.
An important “window” adapted into the design style of this website has been included in the “News” section, as a direct link to the latest “Vatican News” articles related to the Encyclical.
Work is underway to expand the languages in which the various contents will be available, as well as a section that collects the Encyclical’s infographics and presentation videos, already visible on the Dicastery YouTube Channel on the Fratelli tutti Playlist.
A space called “Initiatives” is also being created with the material and contributions coming from local Churches, organizations, networks, and communities, religious and not, aimed at implementing the message contained in Fratelli tutti.
