- 31 October, 2026
VATICAN CITY, October 31, 2026: Amid growing global conflicts and the misuse of religion for political purposes, the Vatican has called on Hindus and Christians to draw inspiration from their shared values, spiritual traditions and mutual respect to strengthen peace, fraternity and interreligious dialogue.
In its 2026 message for the Hindu festival of Diwali, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has urged both communities to pray together for peace, promote universal fraternity and renew their commitment to dialogue, drawing inspiration from the 40th anniversary of the historic gathering of religious leaders in Assisi, Italy.
Titled “Hindus and Christians: Forging Pathways of Peace Together in ‘the Spirit of Assisi’,” the message was signed by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, its Secretary.
“The commemoration of the 1986 Assisi gathering offers us the opportunity to reflect with you on how Hindus and Christians can forge pathways of peace together, drawing inspiration from the spirit of Assisi,” the message stated.
Drawing Inspiration from the Spirit of Assisi
The message recalls October 27, 1986, when representatives of different world religions gathered in Assisi at the invitation of Pope John Paul II to pray for peace.
Held in the birthplace and resting place of St. Francis of Assisi, the gathering became a historic encounter, demonstrating how religions and interreligious solidarity can contribute to addressing global crises and promoting peace.
Pope John Paul II described this approach as the “spirit of Assisi”, which has inspired numerous peace initiatives across the world over the past four decades.
Marking this anniversary, the dicastery identified shared prayer as an important way for Hindus and Christians to work together while remaining faithful to their respective religious traditions.
“One such pathway is to come together to pray with a shared spiritual commitment to peace, each according to his or her own religious tradition, while respecting that of the other,” the message said.
It further observed that genuine prayer can overcome differences and transform hearts and minds, forming people into “men and women of compassion and peace.”
Fraternity and Dialogue as Foundations of Peace
The Vatican message also highlighted universal fraternity, inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who regarded everyone as omnes fratres, meaning “brothers and sisters all”.
“Fraternity enables us to recognize the face of God in others and to stand in solidarity with them, especially the poor and the weak,” the message stated.
It added, “The more fraternity flourishes among us, the more peace will take root in our world.”
Emphasising the importance of interreligious dialogue, the dicastery described it as a vital necessity in addressing the challenges facing humanity.
The message cited Pope Benedict XVI's description of dialogue as a “vital necessity” and recalled Pope Leo XIV's observation that dialogue plays “a decisive role, because at the heart of the great spiritual paths lies a message of peace.”
It also reiterated that authentic religions promote peace and reject violence, recalling Pope Benedict XVI's words that violence “is the antithesis of religion and contributes to its destruction.”
The dicastery encouraged Hindus and Christians to draw renewed inspiration from the Assisi anniversary by praying for peace, practising fraternity in their daily lives and engaging actively in dialogue with people of other religions and all those committed to peace.
“As persons grounded in our respective religions, and as people with shared values, may we, Hindus and Christians, draw renewed inspiration from the fortieth anniversary of the Assisi gathering,” the message said.
It concluded by extending greetings to Hindus, their families and communities on the occasion of Diwali, wishing them “a Happy Deepavali!”
CBCI Encourages Local Outreach
Following the release of the Vatican message, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has encouraged its dialogue ministry to share the message with Hindu religious leaders and members of Hindu communities across the country.
In a letter addressed to its dialogue partners, Father Anthoniraj Thumma, National Secretary of the CBCI Office for Dialogue and Desk for Ecumenism, requested them to translate the message into local languages and circulate it among Hindu communities.
He also encouraged dialogue partners to personally hand over the message to religious leaders while extending Diwali greetings.
“If possible you can hand it over to them greeting them in person,” Father Thumma wrote.
Diwali: Celebrating the Triumph of Light
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated annually between October and November according to the lunar calendar. Dating back to the Vedic period around 2,000 B.C., the festival commemorates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and life over death.
This year, millions of people across various countries will celebrate Diwali on November 8, although local observances may vary by a day. Countries including India, Fiji, Guyana, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago observe the festival as a public holiday.
The celebration involves exchanging gifts and sweets, lighting homes with oil lamps and electric bulbs, and setting off fireworks.
The symbolism of light also finds resonance in Catholic traditions, where candles and light hold significance in sacraments and celebrations such as Baptism, First Communion and Easter.
Every year, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue extends official greetings to Hindus on Diwali, as it does for major Muslim and Buddhist festivals. Established by Pope Paul VI in 1964, the dicastery promotes interreligious dialogue in accordance with the Second Vatican Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate.
Through its 2026 message, the Vatican has renewed its call for Hindus and Christians to build bridges of understanding through prayer, fraternity and dialogue, bearing witness to the shared responsibility of religious communities in promoting peace.
Courtesy: Indian Catholic News
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