Interfaith Dialogue

Pope: Lebanon stands as witness to interreligious dialogue

At an ecumenical and interreligious encounter in Beirut, Pope Leo XIV upholds the Catholic Church’s desire to foster dialogue inspired by divine love, so as to affirm the dignity of every human being.

Pope Leo visits Blue Mosque, one of most important in Istanbul

On the morning of the third day of his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye, Pope Leo XIV visits the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the “Blue Mosque.”

A milestone of dialogue: Sixty years of 'Nostra aetate'

Signed on 28 October 1965 by Pope St Paul VI, the conciliar declaration "Nostra aetate" set the foundations for a culture of encounter and dialogue in the name of peace for all peoples.

Pope Leo: The message of 'Nostra aetate' remains as urgent as ever

Pope Leo XIV presides at &ldquoWalking Together in Hope,&rdquo a celebration of 60 years of &ldquoNostra aetate&rdquo, the Second Vatican Council&rsquos Declaration on Interreligious Dialogue.

Pope Leo XIV: ‘Peace is holy, not war’

Pope Leo XIV joins religious leaders at Rome&rsquos Colosseum for the Community of Sant'Egidio's annual Meeting for Peace, calling for an end to war and a renewed commitment to reconciliation and prayer.

Jordan marks 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate with interreligious symposium

The Catholic Center for Studies and Media and the American University of Madaba in Jordan has held a symposium celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate, which was attended by Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Imam Ahmad Al-Khalayleh, and other religious and civil leaders in Jordan.

Vaticans Deepavali message: With shared values, lets join hands

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue sends well wishes to those celebrating the Hindu feast of Deepavali, and invites Christians and Hindus to 'join hands in both small and great ways to nurture peace in our homes, communities and societies.'

Pope Leo: ‘Peace, not conflict, is our most cherished dream’

Pope Leo XIV reaffirms the Catholic Church’s commitment to walk the path of peace with other religions, in a message to an interreligious conference in Bangladesh.

Holy See outlines peacebuilding role at Chilean congress

Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, addresses a congress on peacebuikding, highlighting the Holy See's efforts, throughout the years, to promote a culture of peace and encounter.

Indonesian Bishops urge firm action to protect religious freedom

The Catholic Bishops of Indonesia urge the government in Jakarta to act firmly against all forms of intolerance, especially when accompanied by violence, following a series of recent attacks on Christian places of worship and institutions.

Holy See, Azerbaijan sign agreement on interreligious dialogue

The Holy See and Azerbaijan sign a memorandum to promote cooperation between the Church and the State with regard to interfaith relations.

Various religions meet in Tokyo to reject war and promote dialogue

Religious representatives from all over the world meet in Tokyo, Japan, for a roundtable on peace organized by the coalition Religions for Peace International, discussing ways to build trust among religious leaders and work with political leaders on humanitarian responses.

Bishop Rhoades highlights religious freedom concerns

Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Religious Liberty, highlights the domestic and international issues the Church in the United States is focusing on during Religious Freedom Week 2025.

Cardinal Koovakad: Buddhists and Christians can foster peace in society

Opening the 8th Buddhist-Christian Colloquium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, urges the faithful to build on their respective faith traditions to build peace through reconciliation and resilience.

Pope Leo XIV: Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges

On the day after the Mass for the Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry, Pope Leo XIV greets delegations from non-Catholic Churches, ecclesial communities, and other faith traditions, recalling his predecessor’s commitment to ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.

Vatican sends well wishes for Buddhist festival of Vesak

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue sends a message to Buddhists for the feast of Vesak, stressing that dialogue must not be limited to words but must become “concrete actions for peace, justice and dignity for all.”

Pope Francis’ plea for a more fraternal world

In his landmark encyclical ‘Fratelli tutti,” Pope Francis emphasized the idea of human fraternity, drawing on the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi to inspire political action rooted in solidarity and highlighting the critical role of religions in building peace.

Pope Francis’ friendship with other religions promoted paths of peace

With Pope Francis’ passing, we recall his unforgettable efforts that contributed to friendship and dialogue between Christians and people of all religions.

Archbishop Gallagher praises Senegal as a model of peaceful religious coexistence

In a message addressed to participants in a symposium on religious diplomacy organized by Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations reflects on the contribution of religions to diplomatic action and praises Senegal as a model of peaceful religious coexistence.

‘Finding bridges’: Rome conference looks at religion and social cohesion

A Cardinal, an Ambassador, and a Lutheran Bishop are among those gathering in Rome to discuss climate justice, social cohesion, and interreligious dialogue.

Vatican Ramadan message: Christians and Muslims called to ‘walk side-by-side'

In its message for Ramadan, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue highlights that the Islamic holy month this year coincides with Lent – and calls for “inner transformation”, so that Christians and Muslims might work together for peace.

Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and WCC reaffirm common commitment

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Council of Churches release a joint statement in which they reaffirm their commitment to dialogue as a means of fostering peace and understanding.

The Diplomacy of Culture: The Vatican Library at the Islamic Arts Biennale

Eleven works from the Vatican Apostolic Library are featured in the second Islamic Arts Biennale, held from January 25 to May 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They include ancient translations of the Quran, texts on astronomy, and a unique, almost six-meter-long, 17th-century map of the River Nile, restored for the occasion.

Cardinal Koovakad: Interreligious dialogue can build peace

As Pope Francis appoints Cardinal George Koovakad as Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, the Indian-born Cardinal speaks to Vatican News about his new role and his continuing mission to organize the Pope’s Apostolic Journeys.

Pope praises Buddhist revival in post-Soviet Mongolia

Pope Francis meets with a delegation of Buddhists from Mongolia, and discusses religious freedom, the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, and the “enduring relations” between the Vatican and the east Asian country.

Pope: ‘Religions must work together to seek bridges of peace’

Pope Francis meets in the Vatican with a delegation of the Muslim Bektashi Order of Dervishes from Albania and highlights the critical role of interreligious dialogue in building a peaceful coexistence among peoples.

India: Church organises interreligious events over Christmas period

In response to increasing religious tensions in India, Archdioceses and organizations across the country gather to promote interreligious harmony during Christmas season.

Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa lauds Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue

The Papal representative in South Africa has lauded the Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue organised by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) Department of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue, and Dialogue with the Secular World.

Pope: Lack of respect for religious values leads to intolerance

In his address to participants in the 'All Religions' Conference' in the Vatican taking place on 29-30 November, Pope Francis highlights the value of dialogue in a global context marked by 'intolerance and hatred.'

Pope meets with Jains, encourages common efforts for solidarity and peace

Pope Francis welcomes an International Delegation of Jains to the Vatican in conjunction with meetings studying ways to work together for a better world, and asks for prayers for the head of that Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal Ayuso, who is critically ill.