Vatican Marks 60 Years of Interfaith Dialogue; Global Faiths Reiterate Love and Peace Mission
Religious leaders worldwide have traveled to the Vatican to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Church's declaration on non-Christian religions, issued at the Second Vatican Council in 1965. The Vatican held a series of religious exchanges and celebrations on Oct. 28 and 29, inviting spiritual leaders from around the world to join the event. Venerable Xian Yue, CEO of the Museum of World Religions (MWR) Development Foundation, represented MWR founder, Grand Master Hsin Tao, by participating in the Commemoration Gala and the following day's public audience with Pope Leo XIV. He also engaged in a direct exchange with Pope Leo XIV during the visit.
Grand Master Hsin Tao Delivered Remarks via Video, Focusing on Ecological Harmony and Spiritual Awakening
The celebration gala was held grandly on October 28th in the Hall of St. Paul VI at the Vatican. Following speeches related to Catholicism, Grand Master Hsin Tao, founder of the MWR, delivered a video address, and his remarks echoed the conference's spirit of "promoting world peace through interfaith dialogue," showcasing the active role of Asian Buddhism in global interfaith exchanges.
Grand Master Hsin Tao has dedicated his life to "loving the Earth and loving peace." He shared his journey from a war-torn childhood to a career in peace, a path that resonates with the Pope's ideals of peace. He pointed out that ecological harmony and religious peace are intertwined; only through spiritual awakening can we see the interdependence between humanity and nature, and awaken respect and tolerance for life. Currently, he is planning the establishment of the "University for Life and Peace" in Myanmar, hoping to cultivate spiritual seeds through education, promote interfaith and interdisciplinary cooperation, and nurture peacemakers who protect the Earth and eliminate conflict.
The Pope Publicly Receives Global Faiths, Urging Unity and Peace
Continuing the main theme of the celebrations, Pope Leo XIV, during the public audience in St. Peter's Square on October 29, emphasized that the world urgently needs believers of all religions to coexist in a spirit of unity and cooperation. He urged them to bring justice and peace to the world and to strive for reconciliation, justice, and lasting peace, all founded upon prayer.
The Pope encouraged the congregation: "May we never give up hope: a new world without division is possible." He concluded with a special greeting in Chinese: "May the Holy Spirit always enable you to witness to love and harmony in all times and places. I bless you all!"
Beyond Boundaries—Spiritual Awakening Demonstrates the Power of Faith
Following the public audience, Pope Leo XIV warmly greeted each of the representatives from various religions around the world. Venerable Xian Yue, on behalf of Grand Master Hsin Tao, presented a gift to the Pope. This gift, from the MWR, incorporated totemistic imagery from ten religions and cultures within the museum, symbolizing the spirit of pluralism, harmony, and world peace.
The Vatican and global religious leaders celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), focusing on "love and peace," reviewing the achievements of interfaith dialogue, and pledging to move towards deeper cooperation and fraternity. During the event, the collective calls for peace made by religious leaders worldwide, along with Grand Master Hsin Tao's advocacy for "spiritual awakening," and Pope Leo XIV's emphasis on "humility and prayer," all these hopes and blessings resonated with each other, demonstrating the shared determination of religions to heal the world through their inner strength.
Grand Master Hsin Tao Delivered Remarks via Video, Focusing on Ecological Harmony and Spiritual Awakening
The celebration gala was held grandly on October 28th in the Hall of St. Paul VI at the Vatican. Following speeches related to Catholicism, Grand Master Hsin Tao, founder of the MWR, delivered a video address, and his remarks echoed the conference's spirit of "promoting world peace through interfaith dialogue," showcasing the active role of Asian Buddhism in global interfaith exchanges.
Grand Master Hsin Tao has dedicated his life to "loving the Earth and loving peace." He shared his journey from a war-torn childhood to a career in peace, a path that resonates with the Pope's ideals of peace. He pointed out that ecological harmony and religious peace are intertwined; only through spiritual awakening can we see the interdependence between humanity and nature, and awaken respect and tolerance for life. Currently, he is planning the establishment of the "University for Life and Peace" in Myanmar, hoping to cultivate spiritual seeds through education, promote interfaith and interdisciplinary cooperation, and nurture peacemakers who protect the Earth and eliminate conflict.
The Pope Publicly Receives Global Faiths, Urging Unity and Peace
Continuing the main theme of the celebrations, Pope Leo XIV, during the public audience in St. Peter's Square on October 29, emphasized that the world urgently needs believers of all religions to coexist in a spirit of unity and cooperation. He urged them to bring justice and peace to the world and to strive for reconciliation, justice, and lasting peace, all founded upon prayer.
The Pope encouraged the congregation: "May we never give up hope: a new world without division is possible." He concluded with a special greeting in Chinese: "May the Holy Spirit always enable you to witness to love and harmony in all times and places. I bless you all!"
Beyond Boundaries—Spiritual Awakening Demonstrates the Power of Faith
Following the public audience, Pope Leo XIV warmly greeted each of the representatives from various religions around the world. Venerable Xian Yue, on behalf of Grand Master Hsin Tao, presented a gift to the Pope. This gift, from the MWR, incorporated totemistic imagery from ten religions and cultures within the museum, symbolizing the spirit of pluralism, harmony, and world peace.
The Vatican and global religious leaders celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), focusing on "love and peace," reviewing the achievements of interfaith dialogue, and pledging to move towards deeper cooperation and fraternity. During the event, the collective calls for peace made by religious leaders worldwide, along with Grand Master Hsin Tao's advocacy for "spiritual awakening," and Pope Leo XIV's emphasis on "humility and prayer," all these hopes and blessings resonated with each other, demonstrating the shared determination of religions to heal the world through their inner strength.
