Vatican Extends Vesak Greetings, Calls for Concrete Interfaith Action

May 12, 2025

As millions of Buddhists around the world celebrate Vesak—the sacred day commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha—the Vatican has extended warm wishes and a call to action through a message from the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

In a statement titled “Buddhists and Christians in Liberating Dialogue for Our Time,” Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery, along with Secretary Monsignor Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, emphasized the importance of going beyond words in religious dialogue, calling for “concrete actions for peace, justice, and dignity for all.”

A Shared Spiritual Journey

The message opens with heartfelt greetings to the global Buddhist community, highlighting the significance of Vesak and the shared values between Catholicism and Buddhism. It connects this year’s message with the spirit of the 2025 Jubilee and marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the landmark declaration of the Second Vatican Council which affirms the Church’s respect for the truths found in other religions.

“‘The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy’ in other religions,” the message quotes, underscoring a commitment to ongoing and respectful interfaith dialogue.

From Words to Action

Addressing today’s global context—plagued by division, conflict, and suffering—the Vatican message warns against limiting dialogue to mere conversation. It calls instead for action rooted in shared values, urging both Buddhists and Christians to collaborate on tangible efforts that uphold human dignity and promote peace and justice.

“The path to liberation in Buddhism resonates deeply with our mutual search for truth and a life of fullness,” the message notes. It urges both communities to draw from their spiritual heritages to respond to the “unsolved riddles of human existence.”

Dialogue for a Divided World

The message reiterates the enduring relevance of Nostra Aetate, especially its call to foster “unity and love among all peoples and nations.” It encourages both traditions to appreciate their differences while standing together in the face of global crises.

Concluding with hope, the Dicastery affirms that “through dialogue, our respective traditions may offer worthy responses to the challenges of our time,” reflecting a vision of interfaith cooperation grounded in both spiritual reflection and compassionate action.