Sree Narayana Guru`s message of universal human unity is pertinent today when hate all across is on the rise, Pope Francis has said. He said the social reformer`s message is "pertinent to our world today, where we witness growing instances of intolerance and hatred between peoples and nations."

The Pope made the remarks while addressing the faith leaders and representatives gathered on Saturday in the Vatican to mark the centenary celebrations of the all-religion conference organised by the Sree Narayana Guru in Aluva in Ernakulam district. The Pope said the troubled state of the world today can partly be attributed to the failure to uphold the teachings of religions.