Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome as part of a two day International Symposium on Interreligious Sharing and Witnessing about Mercy for Peace and Reconciliation organized by KAICIID and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The Symposium brought together top leaders of the world’s major religions to reflect upon the concept on Mercy in the world’s religions, and the crucial role it can and must play in peace and reconciliation.

Pujya Swamiji presented His Holiness Pope Francis with an elaichimala (mala made of fresh cardamom pods), and explained to the Pope that it was a green mala, both in color and also an eco-friendly, organic, “green” mala for a “green” Pope!

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati shared the work that the Divine Shakti Foundation is doing to ensure women and the divine feminine in all its forms is protected and empowered. She shared about DSF’s work in schools, vocational training centres, healthcare as well as its efforts to raise awareness for environmental preservation by mass tree plantations and promoting living more conscious and green lifestyles.