Vatican City:  Pope Francis dedicated his Wednesday general audience to the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate, the landmark declaration of the Second Vatican Council that reshaped the Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions.  Pope renewed the Church’s commitment to dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding among faiths at a time of increasing global tension and religious intolerance.

Speaking in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis emphasized that the Church “does not tolerate antisemitism and fights against it on the basis of the Gospel itself.” He acknowledged that while there have been misunderstandings and difficulties over the decades, the spirit of dialogue continues to guide relations, particularly between Christians and Jews.

Pope reflected on Nostra aetate as a turning point in the Church’s history, noting that for the first time, a formal doctrinal reflection recognized the Jewish roots of Christianity. He urged believers of all faiths to work together to ease human suffering, protect the environment, and promote justice, reconciliation, and peace.

Pope Francis also touched on the modern challenges facing humanity, including the rise of artificial intelligence, cautioning that technology must not be used in ways that diminish human dignity. True dialogue, he said, is founded on love and respect, rejecting all forms of discrimination and persecution.

 Pope drew inspiration from the Gospel encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, describing it as an enduring image of genuine dialogue that crosses barriers of culture, gender, and religion.

The anniversary of  Nostra aetate was also marked this week at a Vatican event titled “Walking Together in Hope,” organized by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. Church officials, Jewish representatives, and leaders from other faiths gathered to reflect on six decades of progress and the ongoing need for unity in the face of division and prejudice.

Pope Francis concluded his message by calling on all religions to stand together as “pilgrims of peace,” emphasizing that despite differences, humanity is united by a shared calling to uphold truth, compassion, and the dignity of every person.