Washington, D.C. — Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered a compelling call for compassion as the cornerstone of religious freedom advocacy during his second address in three days at the 2025 International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit. Speaking to global faith leaders on Wednesday, February 5, Elder Soares emphasized that compassion must transcend tolerance and become a daily practice to foster understanding and mutual respect among people of diverse beliefs.
“Without compassion, we are merely strangers and foreigners to each other. With compassion, we see each other with new eyes, as brothers and sisters,” Elder Soares said during a luncheon on the final day of the summit held at the Washington Hilton. “Compassion goes beyond tolerance — it calls us to understand and engage with those who are different. It should be the driving force behind our shared efforts for conscience and religious freedom.”
The IRF Summit brought together representatives from over 90 organizations and more than 30 faith traditions to address the growing challenges to religious freedom worldwide. According to IRF data, nearly 80% of the global population lives in countries with significant restrictions on religion. Elder Soares highlighted the troubling rise in religious persecution, urging faith leaders to respond with hope, faith, and a commitment to action.
In his speech, Elder Soares drew inspiration from the story of Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who endured persecution in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. He shared her example of resilience and faith as a reminder of the strength that can emerge from compassion and belief, even in the face of intense suffering.
“I don’t want to downplay the serious struggles people face, especially the violence and suffering many may be enduring,” Elder Soares said. “However, history doesn’t have to repeat itself. Whether we let our violent past shape our future is up to us.”
Elder Soares also underscored the vital role religion plays in fostering moral individuals, encouraging peace, and strengthening communities. He noted that religious principles, rooted in compassion, are essential for creating lasting religious freedom.
“Churches and congregations of all kinds bring communities together,” he said. “They provide a setting for people to serve those who they would not normally serve, and to talk with people they would not normally talk with.”
Elder Soares called on governments to support religious freedom, stressing that doing so strengthens societies as a whole. He framed the fight for religious freedom as a broader effort to preserve dignity, respect, and compassion for all people.
“The fight for religious freedom is much more than protecting the right to worship,” he said. “It is about preserving the dignity, compassion, and respect that all people deserve in this world. While challenges to religious freedom are complex, it is inspiring to see so many working so persistently to find sustainable solutions.”
This year’s IRF Summit has served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among faith leaders, policymakers, and advocates. Elder Soares’ remarks on Wednesday followed his earlier address on the summit’s opening day, where he spoke about the importance of peace and later engaged in a discussion with Baptist Pastor Bob Roberts Jr.
The Apostle’s three-day visit to Washington, D.C., reflects The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ commitment to building bridges of understanding and fostering cooperation among faith communities. His message of compassion resonates as a call to action for leaders across the globe to work toward a more inclusive and harmonious world.
As Elder Soares concluded, he expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of those in attendance and urged continued collaboration across faiths and borders. “May we all strive, across faiths and borders, to create a more compassionate world for everyone, everywhere.”
We acknowledge The European Times for the information.
