Pope Francis hosted one of the most significant interfaith gatherings in modern history at the Vatican on Wednesday, bringing together religious leaders from Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism in a daylong summit focused on peace, climate action, and the rejection of religiously motivated violence. Participants included the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Shankaracharyas of India, the Dalai Lama via video link, and Akal Takht Jathedar representing Sikhism. The summit drew 82 religious leaders from 47 countries.
The gathering concluded with signing of the Vatican Declaration on Human Brotherhood for Peace, reaffirming that no religion sanctions killing in God name and committing all signatory faiths to cooperation on climate change and poverty reduction. Pope Francis said what unites humanity is infinitely greater than what divides it. India External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended as an observer and called it a landmark moment for spiritual diplomacy and interfaith understanding.
0