Pope Leo XIV Marks 'Nostra Aetate' 60th Anniversary, Calls for Interfaith Unity
Pope Leo XIV recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of 'Nostra Aetate', the Second Vatican Council's declaration on relations with Judaism, Islam, and other religions. The event gathered around 80 religious leaders from various faiths, highlighting the enduring relevance of this historic document.
Pope Leo XIV listed four key teachings of 'Nostra Aetate' that remain highly relevant today. These include promoting unity among different religions, recognizing our shared humanity, acknowledging diverse religious responses to the human condition, and rejecting nothing true and holy in other religions. The declaration also firmly rejects all forms of antisemitism and discrimination based on race, color, condition of life, or religion.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Pope Leo XIV called for religious leaders to reawaken humanity's sense of the sacred and keep hope, dialogue, and love alive in the world. He sees interreligious dialogue as 'a way of life - a journey of the heart that transforms everyone involved'. Authentic dialogue, he believes, begins in conviction and is not a compromise.
Pope Leo XIV expressed concern about rising walls between nations, religions, and neighbors. He urged religious leaders to help overcome prejudice, anger, hatred, egoism, and greed. He views 'Nostra Aetate' as a seed of hope for interreligious dialogue, bearing fruits of understanding, friendship, cooperation, and peace.
