Vatican Document Urges Catholics to Esteem Other Faiths

A Vatican document marking the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate urges Catholics to approach other religions with “respect and esteem,” affirming that Muslims worship the one God and warning against Islamophobia. Issued by three Vatican offices, “A Journey of Hope” promotes interreligious dialogue, fraternity, and cooperation while criticizing defensive approaches and proselytism as the sole means of engaging with other faiths. Separately, Pope Leo XIV said cultural and religious diversity should be viewed as a resource rather than a threat, while warning that conflict can fuel violence. Continuing his teachings on the Second Vatican Council’s Gaudium et Spes, he also cautioned that technology, social media, and artificial intelligence may make relationships less personal and encourage people to surrender moral decisions to algorithms.