Towards the Future: Re-thinking Nostra Aetate Today Rome, 27-29 October 2025
From October 27th to 29th, a significant conference was convened at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with the support of the Vatican’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. The event, titled “Towards the Future: Re-thinking Nostra Aetate Today,” provided a comprehensive examination of the document Nostra Aetate, contextualizing its principles within contemporary social and intercultural environments.
The conference highlighted the significance of engaging in constructive dialogue and practicing attentive listening as essential strategies for enhancing mutual understanding and supporting harmonious coexistence.
In his opening remarks, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, emphasized that the primary objective of this document is to promote greater unity and mutual understanding among individuals and nations. He underscored the importance of recognizing shared values and common principles that strengthen fellowship.
Additionally, he encouraged participants to reflect on the progress achieved over the past sixty years and to consider whether these efforts have effectively contributed to fostering closer collaboration and harmony among diverse communities.
Over the course of the three-day conference, the focus was on examining recent advancements and persistent challenges in promoting interreligious dialogue. There was a reaffirmation of Nostra Aetate’s stance against all forms of hatred, persecution, and anti-Semitic actions directed toward Jewish communities at any time and by any individual. Furthermore, speakers and participants underscored the importance of the Church and other world religions actively serving as advocates for peace and justice.
Fostering authentic engagement among diverse faith communities, alongside an understanding and respectful acknowledgment of the complexities surrounding doubt, has become an increasingly important focus. These initiatives are vital for cultivating meaningful, constructive, and enduring relationships within and across various religious groups in today’s interconnected world.
