Vatican’s Deepavali Message: “With Shared Values, Let’s Join Hands”

The Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue has extended heartfelt greetings to Hindus celebrating Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, on October 20, 2025. In their message, they emphasized the importance of interfaith collaboration, stating, “As believers rooted in our respective faith traditions, and as people united by shared values and a common concern for peace, may we—Hindus and Christians, together with those of other religions and all people of goodwill—join hands in both small and great ways to nurture peace in our homes, communities, and societies.”

The letter, themed “Hindus and Christians: Building world peace through dialogue and collaboration in the spirit of Nostra Aetate,” was signed by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery, and Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, Secretary. Notably, this year marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Catholic Church’s landmark document that encouraged Catholics worldwide to engage in dialogue and collaboration with people of other religious traditions.

The Vatican officials expressed their hope that the festival of lights would “brighten your lives and bring happiness, unity, and peace to your families and communities.” They also underscored the significance of Nostra Aetate in promoting interreligious dialogue as a path to peace, urging a renewed commitment to this cause.

This message underscores the Vatican’s ongoing dedication to fostering understanding and cooperation among different faith communities, reinforcing the shared values that unite humanity in the pursuit of peace and harmony.