Pope Leo XIV meeting: 'It was the largest meeting with false religions ever gathered at the Vatican'

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'On the path to establishing full communion...'

Speech for religious leaders May 19, 2025
Photo from L'Osservatore Romano

TIA | May 25, 2025

On May 19, 2025, Leo XIV received at Clementine Hall 161 representatives of different religions, above, who had travelled to the Vatican for his inauguration Mass the day before. As far as we know, it was the largest meeting with false religions ever gathered at the Vatican.

We offer to our readers some excerpts from the Pope's address, taken from L'Osservatore Romano (May 19, 2025, p. 6)

Words to the Schismatics and heretics: "As Bishop of Rome, I consider one of my priorities to be that of seeking the reestablishment of unity and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ...

"Aware, moreover, that synodality and ecumenism are closely linked, I wish to assure you of my intention to continue Pope Francis' commitment to promoting the synodal character of the Catholic Church and developing new and concrete forms for an ever stronger and more intense synodality in ecumenical relations."

To the representatives of other religions: "Now is the time for dialogue and for building bridges. Therefore I am pleased and grateful for the presence of representatives of other religious traditions, who share the search for God and his will, which is always and only the will of love and life for men and woman and for all creatures."

To the Jews: "In a special way I wish to send a greeting to our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters. Because of the Hebrew roots of Christianity, all Christians have a special relationship with Judaism. ... The theological dialogue between Christians and Jews remains ever important and close to my heart."

To the Muslims: "Relations between the Catholic Church and Muslims are marked by a growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity, fostered by esteem for these our brothers and sisters 'who adore the one God, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth.' {Document of Abu Dhabi, 3)"

To pagans: "To all you representatives of other religious traditions, I express my gratitude for your participation in this meeting and for your contribution to peace. ... I am convinced that if we are in agreement, and free from ideological and political conditioning, we can be effective in saying 'no' to war and 'yes' to peace, 'no' to the arms race and 'yes' to disarmament, 'no' to an economy that impoverishes the peoples of the earth and 'yes' to integral development."


These words of Leo XIV show that, far from being a conservative, he is rather a radical disciple of Francis and the previous Conciliar Popes