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

Vatican, 19 May 2025: Pope Leo XIV held a special audience for ecumenical and interreligious delegations who took part in the Solemn Mass for the Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry on 19 May. During his address, the Pope highlighted Pope Francis’ focus on universal fraternity, and noted that this continued the initiatives of earlier pontiffs, especially St John XXIII.

Pope Francis, the Pope of Fratelli tutti, promoted both the ecumenical path and interreligious dialogue,” Pope Leo said. “Above all by cultivating interpersonal relations, in such a way that, without taking anything away from ecclesial bonds, the human trait of the encounter was always valued. May God help us to treasure his witness.”

Christian Unity Based on Faith

Pope Leo XIV first addressed representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesial communities. He acknowledged the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and stated that unity among Christians “can only be unity in faith.”

He said that pursuing full and visible communion among all Christians is one of his priorities as Bishop of Rome. He also referred to the connection between ecumenism and synodality, and affirmed his commitment to continue the promotion of the synodal character of the Catholic Church, following the example of Pope Francis.

Dialogue with Other Religious Traditions

Addressing representatives of non-Christian religions, Pope Leo XIV said that the “common path” must involve everyone “in a spirit of human fraternity.”

He stated, “Today is the time for dialogue and building bridges.” He again referred to Pope Francis, recalling “the remarkable efforts made by Pope Francis in favour of interreligious dialogue.”

Quoting the Document on Human Fraternity, Pope Leo stated, “Through his words and actions, [Pope Francis] opened new avenues of encounter, to promote ‘the culture of dialogue as the path; mutual collaboration as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.’”

Relations with Judaism, Islam, and Other Traditions

Pope Leo referred to the Second Vatican Council’s document Nostra aetate on interreligious relations. He emphasised the “spiritual heritage shared by Christians and Jews” and the significance of theological dialogue between the two communities, even during times of “conflicts and misunderstandings.”

He also noted “the growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity” in relations between the Catholic Church and Muslims. He described mutual respect and freedom of conscience as “a solid basis for building bridges between our communities.”

He then addressed representatives of other religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and others. He expressed gratitude for their contributions to peace “in a world wounded by violence and conflict.”

He expressed hope that joint efforts by religious believers could help reject war, the arms race, and unjust economic systems, and affirm peace, disarmament, and integral development.

Commitment to Peace and Fraternity

Pope Leo XIV concluded his address by stating his belief that “the witness of our fraternity… will certainly contribute to building a more peaceful world, something that all men and women of goodwill desire in their hearts.”

He invited the delegations to “invoke God’s blessings in our hearts,” and prayed that “His infinite goodness and wisdom help us to live as His children and as brothers and sisters to each other, so that hope may grow in the world.”

Courtesy: Vatican News