Vatican City – October 5, 2025 — In his October 2025 installment of The Pope Video, released on September 30, Pope Leo XIV issued a universal and deeply moving appeal for believers across all religious traditions to set aside division and work together for peace, justice, and human fraternity. While rooted in Christian prayer and language, the message was intentionally open-hearted—addressing not only fellow Christians but all who seek truth, uphold human dignity, and strive for a more just world.
Speaking with quiet urgency, the Pope acknowledged the paradox of religion in today’s world: “We live in a world full of beauty, but also wounded by deep divisions. Sometimes religions, instead of uniting us, become a cause of confrontation.” His words were not accusatory but reflective—a call to introspection and renewal. “Lord Jesus, you who in diversity are one and look lovingly at every person,” he prayed, “help us to recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters, called to live, pray, work and dream together.”
Though he did not name any specific faith beyond his own, the ethical and spiritual foundations he invoked find strong echoes across the globe’s diverse religious landscape. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), for example, teaches that “all truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ” and emphasizes moral agency, service, and the divine potential inherent in every soul—principles that align with the Pope’s vision of shared human dignity. Similarly, Sikhism’s central tenet of sarbat da bhala—“welfare of all”—embodies a universal concern for justice, equality, and compassion that transcends religious boundaries. Even among communities with distinctive theological identities, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is a consistent commitment to peace, neutrality in conflict, and humanitarian action—values that contribute meaningfully to the common good.
In Dharmic traditions, the resonance is equally profound. Hinduism’s ancient teaching of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“the world is one family”—and its emphasis on dharma (righteous duty toward all beings) provide a natural framework for interfaith cooperation in service of justice and harmony. Buddhism, with its foundational practices of non-harming (ahimsa) and loving-kindness (metta), encourages active engagement with the world to alleviate suffering—a vision closely aligned with the Pope’s plea for religions to “accompany life and sustain hope.” Jainism’s radical commitment to nonviolence and reverence for all life further reinforces this shared ethical ground.
Even newer spiritual paths find common cause in this vision. Scientology, for instance, articulates a goal of “a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war,” emphasizing individual worth and social betterment, and their Way to Happiness “respect the beliefs of others”—principles that, while expressed differently, contribute to the collaborative spirit the Pope envisions. Though their doctrines, rituals, and histories vary widely, these traditions all contain seeds of fraternity, justice, and peace.
The Pope’s message culminated in a powerful image: “May religions not be used as weapons or walls, but rather lived as bridges and prophecy, making the dream of the common good credible… and being the yeast of unity in a fragmented world.” This metaphor—religion as yeast—suggests quiet, transformative influence rather than domination; cooperation rather than conversion.
The Vatican has framed this message as part of Pope Leo XIV’s ongoing effort to foster a “culture of encounter,” where differences are not erased but honored within a shared commitment to human flourishing. Religious leaders and interfaith advocates worldwide have responded with appreciation for the Pope’s tone of humility and practical solidarity. Many see in his words not a theological statement but a moral summons—to build real-world partnerships on climate action, refugee support, poverty alleviation, and peacebuilding, without requiring doctrinal agreement.
In a time marked by polarization, rising xenophobia, and the instrumentalization of faith for political ends, the Pope’s prayer offers a quiet but revolutionary challenge: that religion, in all its forms, must become a force for healing—not division. As he concluded, “Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity.”
The full video, titled “For collaboration between different religious traditions,” is available globally through The Pope Video initiative, which reaches millions each month across digital and broadcast platforms.
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