Significant Peace Leaders: Pope Francis and the Head of Tai Ji Men
A Heart-to-Heart Dialogue Between the Pope and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Amidst ongoing warfare that tears nations apart, and with countless lives ravaged by conflict, in mid-May 2024, the sound of the Bell of World Peace and Love reverberated across St. Peter's Square, offering a brief moment of solace to all living things on earth. On May 15th, during his general audience in the square, Pope Francis delivered a catechesis on the theological virtue, charity. Tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in the square witnessed a historic meeting between two global leaders advocating for love and peace: the Pope and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and the zhang-men-ren (head) of Tai Ji Men. Dr. Hong shared with the Pope the concept of conscience, highlighting FOWPAL's efforts in promoting the International Day of Conscience worldwide. With conscience as a guiding force, people can awaken their inherent goodness within, thereby reshaping the world's trajectory and building a future of peace.
The Pope emphasized the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love, highlighting love as the greatest among them. He spoke of the diverse forms of love in life and emphasized that the greatest love enables us to love our neighbors and everyone as God does.
Over the past five decades, Dr. Hong has undertaken peace endeavors in over 300 cities across more than a hundred countries, dedicating himself to promoting love, peace, and conscience. His ideals align closely with the Pope's commitment to advance on the path of mercy and peace.
FOWPAL holds the belief that conscience is the root of humanity and serves as the bedrock for global stability and sustainability. In line with this, Dr. Hong specially presented the Pope with three insightful books: "Conscience: The Wellspring of Wisdom," "The History of International Day of Conscience," and "Back to Origin." Alongside these books, Dr. Hong also offered other meaningful gifts, including the scroll of "Love of the World, A Declaration of Peace" and the "Tai Ji Men Celestial Drum."
Following the gift presentation, these two influential spiritual leaders, both renowned for their significant contributions to world peace in modern times, exchanged a handshake, regarded as the "handshake of the century," symbolizing their lifelong and unwavering commitment to securing a sustainable future for humanity. Their meeting held profound historical significance.
Marco Respinti, director-in-charge of "Bitter Winter" magazine, shared his excitement, describing May 15 as a profoundly special day. He remarked that St. Peter's Square isn't just the heart of Christianity but also the focal point of the world, emphasizing that the "meeting of the century" holds significance in the universe.
Respinti believes that the Pope can easily understand the message Dr. Hong aims to convey to the world. He expressed confidence that the Pope, with his heartfelt approach, wisdom, and action-oriented mindset, can achieve their shared goal for the world. Respinti notes that the Pope's ideas of love and peace closely resonate with the global peace endeavors of Dr. Hong and FOWPAL.
Under the leadership of Dr. Hong, the Love of the World Cultural Goodwill Group brought the Bell of World Peace and Love to Italy, offering prayers for global peace in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. As a tribute to the Pope before his departure, they joined in singing a chorus of the song "Love of the World," spreading blessings to all.
In 2005, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze met with former Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square in Rome, where he shared profound wisdom: without love, there is no peace; peace requires love, and love requires balance. These concepts of peace have long been influential across borders, races, and faiths, inspiring many influential leaders to resolve conflicts with wisdom. For instance, in 2003, Fradique de Menezes, the then President of Sao Tome and Principe, successfully resolved a civil conflict. In 2008, Leonel Fernandez, the then President of the Dominican Republic, prevented a potential war in Central and South America, while Abdoulaye Wade, the then President of Senegal, effectively ended years of hostility between Chad and Sudan.
Dr. Hong's concept that "without love, there is no peace; peace requires love, and love requires balance" embodies the wisdom of yin and yang equilibrium. This idea has garnered recognition from Prof. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist who facilitated the Love of the World Cultural Goodwill Group's visit to Italy on this occasion. During their visit, the cultural goodwill group presented a rare and profound cultural performance that integrates over six thousand years of tradition, combining qigong, martial arts, and art to foster cross-cultural exchange.
This cultural exchange held immense significance as Tai Ji Men showcased its martial arts and cultural heritage of over six thousand years in the birthplace of the 14th-century Renaissance. Particularly noteworthy was the performance of "angels of love" from the East, portrayed by Tai Ji Men members, who delivered the soul-stirring song "Children from Heaven" in this sacred location. Through this fusion of cultures, hearts connected, fostering more love and hope in the world. Tai Ji Men aims for the positive energy of love and peace to continue creating a ripple effect, inspiring more individuals to take action for peace.
"The World of One Heart, The Wellspring of Happiness”
Dr. Hong's Peace Initiatives Earn Global Acclaim
In 1999, guided by the ancient wisdom of Tai Ji Men, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze envisioned the changing dynamics of global affairs and embarked on a mission to foster love and peace worldwide. Beginning his global peace journey in the United States in 1999, he delivered a speech titled "The World of One Heart: The Wellspring of Happiness" in San Francisco. In this address, he expressed his hope for “people of different beliefs, different races regardless of wealth or social status all obtain a happy heart as we do.”
Over the past 25 years, Dr. Hong has orchestrated numerous ceremonies of ringing the "Bell of World Peace and Love," leading the cultural goodwill group as they carry the bell across the globe. To date, 552 influential leaders from 147 countries, including 71 heads of state and 9 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, have rung the bell, each expressing their wishes for peace. Dr. Hong's tireless efforts in promoting peace have garnered praise and recognition from leaders worldwide.