On a crisp October morning in St. Peter’s Square, the air was thick with both solemnity and hope as Pope Leo XIV marked a milestone that reverberates far beyond the Vatican’s ancient walls. Wednesday, October 29, 2025, was not just another general audience—it was the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s revolutionary declaration on the Church’s relationship with other religions. With thousands of pilgrims, religious leaders, and dignitaries from every corner of the globe gathered under the colonnades, the Pope’s message was clear: dialogue, friendship, and the uncompromising rejection of antisemitism remain as urgent today as they were six decades ago.
Standing before a tapestry of faiths—Jewish rabbis, Muslim imams, Buddhist monks, Hindu priests, Sikh representatives, Zoroastrian elders, Taoist sages, and Christian leaders—Pope Leo XIV delivered an address that was both a reflection on history and a call to action. According to Catholic News Agency, he began by underlining the continuity of the Church’s stance since the publication of Nostra Aetate: “All of my predecessors have condemned antisemitism with clear words.” There was no room for ambiguity. “And so I too confirm that the Church does not tolerate antisemitism and fights against it, on the basis of the Gospel itself,” Leo declared, his voice echoing across the square.
The significance of the moment was not lost on those in attendance. The audience was more than a commemoration; it was, as Exaudi described, a symbolic and profound gesture that reaffirmed the Church’s openness to other religions and its moral commitment to combat all forms of antisemitism. The Pope acknowledged the progress made in Jewish-Catholic dialogue over the past 60 years, but he did not shy away from the difficulties that have surfaced along the way. “We cannot deny that there have been misunderstandings, difficulties, and conflicts in this period, but these have never prevented the dialogue from continuing,” he said. “Even today, we must not allow political circumstances and the injustices of some to divert us from friendship, especially since we have achieved so much so far.”
Indeed, the three pillars of Leo’s message—rejection of antisemitism, interreligious dialogue, and friendship between Christians and Jews—were woven throughout his catechesis. He reminded the faithful that Christianity’s roots are deeply embedded in Judaism, and that this heritage carries a “moral commitment against any form of persecution or discrimination against Jews.” Quoting the council’s own words, he emphasized: “The Church, ‘mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel’s spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of antisemitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.’”
But Leo’s vision extended beyond mere remembrance. He insisted that dialogue is not just a practical tool—it is “a way of life” that transforms all who participate in it. According to Exaudi, the Pope stressed that cooperation between religions must translate into concrete action: “promoting justice, caring for creation, and educating in values of peace.” The previous evening’s peace ceremony at the Colosseum, which brought together some 300 representatives of world religions and cultures, was a testament to this spirit of collaboration.
As the world faces a barrage of challenges—political, cultural, and technological—the Pope’s words carried a sense of both urgency and hope. “More than ever, our world needs our unity, our friendship, and our collaboration,” he said, urging religious leaders to work together to alleviate human suffering and protect the planet. He warned against the perils of religious extremism and fundamentalism, cautioning: “Our respective traditions teach truth, compassion, reconciliation, justice, and peace. Together, we must be vigilant against the abuse of the name of God, of religion, and of dialogue itself, as well as against the dangers posed by religious fundamentalism and extremism.”
Leo did not shy away from contemporary issues, either. He called for responsible stewardship in the development of artificial intelligence, warning that if AI is “conceived as an alternative to humans, it can gravely violate their infinite dignity and neutralize their fundamental responsibilities.” It was, in a way, a reminder that technological progress must never come at the expense of human values—a sentiment that resonated with many present, given the rapid pace of change in today’s world.
Yet, even as he looked to the future, Pope Leo XIV did not forget those suffering in the present. He paused to pray for the victims of Hurricane Melissa, which had struck Jamaica the previous day as the strongest Category 5 storm on record for the island. “Thousands of people have been displaced, while homes, infrastructure, and several hospitals have been damaged,” he said. “I assure everyone of my closeness, praying for those who have lost their lives, for those who are fleeing, and for those populations who, awaiting the storm’s developments, are experiencing hours of anxiety and concern.”
Throughout his address, Leo returned to the enduring legacy of Nostra Aetate. The document, issued on October 28, 1965, opened what he called “a new horizon of encounter, respect, and spiritual hospitality.” It was, in his words, “a doctrinal treatise on the Jewish roots of Christianity … which on a biblical and theological level would represent a point of no return.” Its message remains as relevant as ever: differences should be honored, common humanity affirmed, and the hope for a better world rekindled.
As the audience drew to a close, the Pope led those gathered in a moment of silent prayer. “Prayer has the power to transform our attitudes, our thoughts, our words, and our actions,” he said—a gentle reminder that real change begins within, but must radiate outward into the world.
For many, the day was a powerful affirmation of the Church’s commitment to dialogue, friendship, and the fight against antisemitism. As Exaudi put it, Pope Leo’s call to “walk together in hope” is more than a slogan—it’s a path forward for a pluralistic and often divided world. Sixty years after Nostra Aetate first brought hope to a world scarred by war and hatred, the task of building bridges and defending human dignity remains as vital as ever.
