The Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has released its annual Deepavali message, extending warm wishes to the global Hindu community and emphasizing the importance of unity, peace, and mutual understanding among all faiths.
Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the triumph of truth over falsehood and good over evil. This year’s Vatican message highlights the theme, “Hindus and Christians: Building world peace through dialogue and collaboration in the spirit of Nostra Aetate.”
The message calls on both religious communities to renew their commitment to dialogue, understanding, and cooperation—principles rooted in respect for human dignity and spiritual freedom. It also marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the historic Second Vatican Council declaration that encouraged openness and engagement between the Catholic Church and other faith traditions.
The Vatican noted that despite progress in interreligious relations, divisions and mistrust continue to challenge societies across the world. The message urges that dialogue must not remain limited to formal meetings but should extend into daily life, shaping how communities interact, work, and live together.
Families, schools, media, and religious institutions were encouraged to play an active role in promoting compassion and harmony. The Vatican concluded by inviting believers and people of goodwill to join hands in nurturing peace at home, in their neighborhoods, and within the global community.
The message reaffirms that lasting peace can only be achieved through empathy, collaboration, and the shared commitment of all people, regardless of faith or background.
