The Vatican has invited Christians and Hindus to strengthen prayer for peace and interreligious dialogue following the call of the “spirit of Assisi,” on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Deepavali, which this year will be celebrated on November 8. The message, published this Friday, October 30, by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the prayer meeting convened by Saint John Paul II in Assisi in 1986.
The document released by the Holy See Press Office, titled “Hindus and Christians: Building Paths of Peace Together in the Spirit of Assisi,” is signed by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the dicastery, and by its secretary, Monsignor Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage.
The proposal outlines three paths to promote peace: prayer from within each religious tradition, the practice of fraternity, and interreligious dialogue.
The Vatican recalls the Assisi meeting convened by Saint John Paul II
The message recalls the meeting held on October 27, 1986, in Assisi, when Saint John Paul II gathered representatives of different religions for a day of prayer for peace.
The Italian city, linked to the figure of Saint Francis of Assisi, then became the setting for an initiative aimed at promoting cooperation among different religious traditions in the face of international conflicts.
The dicastery recalls that Saint John Paul II described the commitment to work for peace from within one’s own religious convictions as the “spirit of Assisi,” an expression that later inspired numerous interreligious dialogue initiatives.
Forty years later, the Vatican body considers that this experience remains relevant in the face of wars, conflicts, and the use of religion for political purposes.
In this context, it invites Hindus and Christians to find paths of collaboration that contribute to coexistence and peace.
Prayer for peace from within each religious tradition
One of the central aspects of the message is the invitation to gather to pray for peace, respecting religious differences.
The document proposes that this prayer be carried out “each according to his or her own religious tradition, respecting that of the other.”
To support this proposal, the dicastery cites Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 2026 World Day of Peace and maintains that authentic prayer helps transform hearts and promote attitudes of compassion and reconciliation.
The invitation is presented as a form of collaboration between believers of different religions, while maintaining their respective traditions.
Fraternity and interreligious dialogue as paths to peace
The message also highlights the importance of fraternity, drawing on the example of Saint Francis of Assisi and his recognition of others as brothers.
According to the dicastery, this attitude should be expressed especially in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.
The document also recalls words of Benedict XVI, who described interreligious dialogue as a “vital necessity” during his meeting with representatives of Muslim-majority countries in September 2006.
It also cites Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, which states that dialogue among the great religious traditions plays a decisive role in promoting peace.
The text likewise recalls Benedict XVI’s intervention during the day of reflection, dialogue, and prayer held in Assisi in 2011, when he affirmed that violence is the antithesis of religion and contributes to its destruction.
Drawing on these references, the dicastery encourages Christians and Hindus to collaborate with people of other religions and with all people of good will in initiatives aimed at peace.
The Vatican congratulates Hindus on the festival of Deepavali
The message has been published on the occasion of Deepavali, also known as Diwali, one of the main religious celebrations in Hinduism.
Its name means “row of oil lamps,” and the festival traditionally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, truth over falsehood, and good over evil.
The celebration is also linked to the beginning of a new year and to family reconciliation, especially among siblings.
This year, many Hindus will celebrate Deepavali on November 8.
In its greeting, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue expresses its wishes for joy, peace, and prosperity for Hindu families and communities.
The message concludes by inviting believers of both religions to renew their commitment to peace through prayer, fraternity, and interreligious dialogue, in continuity with the meeting convened by Saint John Paul II in Assisi four decades ago.