As the world prepares to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Nostra Aetate—the groundbreaking Vatican II declaration that transformed the Catholic Church’s relationship with other religions—the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome will host a major international conference, “Towards the Future: Re-Thinking Nostra Aetate Today,” from October 27 to 29 2025. Co-organized with the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, the gathering will bring together leading theologians, diplomats, and representatives from a wide range of faith traditions to reflect on how this brief yet revolutionary document continues to shape dialogue, peace, and cooperation among religions and nations six decades later. And will be attended not just by Catholics but by representatives from Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, the Bahá’í Faith, Scientology, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and many others.
On October 28, 1965, the Catholic Church promulgated Nostra Aetate (“In Our Time”) during the Second Vatican Council – a short document that revolutionized the Church’s approach to non-Christian religions. In its five concise sections, Nostra Aetate urged respect for other faith traditions and explicitly “rejects nothing that is true and holy” in them[2]. It marked the Church’s first formal repudiation of anti-Semitism and acknowledged the shared spiritual heritage between Christians and Jews and even Muslims, who “worship God, who is one” and share in the faith of Abraham[3]. By declaring “no” to every form of anti-Semitism and encouraging Catholics and Jews to rediscover their deep historical kinship, the document paved the way for former “enemies and strangers” to become “friends and brothers,” as Pope Francis observed on its 50th anniversary[4]. Nostra Aetate also addressed Muslims with esteem, calling on Christians and Muslims to “forget the past” conflicts and “make common cause” in defending moral values, peace, and freedom[5]. This groundbreaking openness – described by one theologian as a “courageously open stance toward other religions”[6] – inaugurated a new era of interfaith dialogue and cooperation that has borne fruit over the past six decades.
Fast-forward to today: to celebrate and critically revisit this legacy, an international conference titled “Towards the Future: Re-thinking Nostra Aetate Today” will convene in Rome from October 27 to 29, 2025[1]. Hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University and organized jointly by its Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies and the Gregorian Centre for Interreligious Studies, the gathering has high-level backing from the Vatican. It is held under the auspices of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews (part of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity) – the very offices charged with advancing the work that Nostra Aetate began[1]. The conference’s timing coincides exactly with the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate (1965–2025), making it both a commemoration and an opportunity to “rethink” the declaration’s message for a new era[7].
Organizers note that while Nostra Aetate remains a “pivotal tool” for interreligious dialogue and even peaceful civil coexistence[8], the world of 2025 is very different from that of the 1960s. New challenges and new religious landscapes have emerged: traditions once seen as peripheral now have a global impact, and entirely new issues – from religious extremism to secularization – confront faith communities[9]. “Today the need arises not only to celebrate [Nostra Aetate’s] importance and relevance but also to reconsider it in light of theological developments, new interreligious encounters, and a changing political, social, religious environment since 1965,” the conference announcement explains[7]. In other words, this event aims to ask: How would Nostra Aetate look if it were written in our time, for our time?
Over three days, the conference will bring together a who’s who of interfaith dialogue: Catholic cardinals and theologians will engage with Jewish rabbis, Muslim scholars, Buddhist and Hindu teachers, and experts on smaller religious traditions. The program is structured around the key sections of Nostra Aetate and the questions they raise today:
- Inaugural Session (Oct. 27): The event opens with words of welcome from academic and religious leaders, including the Rector of the Gregorian University, Fr. Mark Lewis, SJ, and the Vatican’s top ecumenical and interfaith officials – Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue) and Cardinal Kurt Koch (Prefect of the Dicastery for Christian Unity)[12]. Their presence signals the Church’s official support at the highest level. An introductory panel featuring Ambrogio Bongiovanni and Massimo Gargiulo – directors of the host centers – will set the stage[13]. To ground participants in history, two inaugural lectures will revisit Nostra Aetate’s origins: Professor Paolo Trianni will provide a historical overview of how this revolutionary declaration came to be, and theologian Fr. Mario Imperatori, SJ will explore its theological meaning and enduring impact[14]. These talks will highlight how extraordinary it was in 1965 for the Catholic Church to officially embrace dialogue with other faiths, an attitude we now take for granted.
- Voices of Many Faiths (Oct. 27 afternoon & Oct. 28 morning): Nostra Aetate’s second section spoke about Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faiths in only a few paragraphs – but today the panorama of global religions is far wider. In sessions entitled “Reflecting on Nostra Aetate 2: The contribution of other religious traditions,” leaders and scholars from various religions will share their perspectives. For example, Swami Sarvapriyananda of the Vedanta Society of New York (representing the Hindu tradition) and Rev. Giuseppe Jisō Forzani, a Zen Buddhist leader from Italy, will discuss how Eastern spiritual traditions have engaged in dialogue with Catholics[15]. In the same spirit, Yon Seng Yeath, Rector of Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University, will offer a Buddhist viewpoint on the legacy of Nostra Aetate, alongside experts like Prof. Antonio Rigopoulos who studies Asian religions[16].
- A special emphasis will be given to traditions that were not explicitly named in the 1965 text. A panel on Oct. 28 asks pointedly, “What does it mean not to be in Nostra Aetate?” Here, representatives of Sikhism and Jainism – religions absent from the original document – will have a voice. Dr. Jasjit Singh (of the University of Leeds and the Sikh Seva Society) will address the Sikh experience of Catholic outreach, while Samani Amal Pragya of the Jain Vishva Bharati Institute will share Jain perspectives on interreligious understanding[17]. Their inclusion underlines the conference’s awareness that religious pluralism today extends beyond the “major” faiths, and, as the organizers note, traditions “previously considered of minor impact have now gained greater significance”[9]. Also joining this discussion are scholars of indigenous and new religious movements, ensuring even more voices are heard[18]. These sessions exemplify how the conference aims to “highlight what Nostra Aetate can offer to the faithful of other religious traditions” in the present day[19] – including those communities the original drafters 60 years ago might never have anticipated engaging so closely.
These gathering goes even further, welcoming representatives from new religious movements and emerging global communities such as the Bahá’í Faith, the Church of Scientology, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), alongside representatives of long-established Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Their participation reflects how the religious landscape has evolved since 1965: what were once small or local movements have become transnational networks engaged in education, humanitarian aid, moral renewal, and human-rights advocacy. From Bahá’í initiatives promoting gender equality and inter-community harmony, to the LDS Church’s vast charitable outreach and family-strengthening programs, to the Scientology community’s campaigns on human rights education, drug prevention, and disaster response, these efforts demonstrate that Nostra Aetate’s call to cooperation continues to inspire concrete action across a widening circle of faiths.
- Deepening Catholic-Muslim Understanding (Oct. 28 afternoon): One of Nostra Aetate’s longest sections (Article 3) focuses on Islam, affirming the respect the Church holds for Muslims. Sixty years on, Catholic-Muslim relations have seen significant progress – and also faced new global challenges. The conference’s third block, “Reflecting on Nostra Aetate 3,” gathers prominent figures in Christian-Muslim dialogue to take stock and look ahead. Jesuit Islamologist Fr. Daniel Madigan, SJ (Australian Catholic University) and Prof. Lejla Demiri (a Muslim theologian teaching in Tübingen, Germany) will be among the speakers assessing how the teachings of Nostra Aetate on Islam have unfolded through decades of dialogue[20]. They will be joined by scholars like Ismail Taspinar of Marmara University (Turkey), bringing insights from Muslim academia[20]. A second part of this session features comparative theology voices: German Catholic theologian Klaus von Stosch and Iranian-born scholar Dr. Shahrzad Houshmand Zadeh (of Rome’s Sapienza University) will discuss new theological approaches to understanding between Christians and Muslims[21]. Indian Jesuit Fr. Victor Edwin, SJ, known for his work in Islamic studies, will add perspectives from the South Asian context[21]. Together, these contributors will grapple with issues like how to foster mutual “knowledge, respect and esteem” between Christians and Muslims in an age when geopolitical conflicts and extremist fringes can strain relations. Expect candid dialogue on topics ranging from combating religious extremism and Islamophobia to cooperative efforts for the common good. All panelists will then join in a moderated joint Q&A, reflecting the open, face-to-face dialogue that Nostra Aetate encourages as the path forward[5].
- Celebration with Papal Blessing (Oct. 28 evening – Oct. 29 morning): Underscoring the significance of this anniversary, the Vatican has arranged for conference participants to join a special celebratory gathering with the Pope. On the evening of Oct. 28, attendees will go to the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall for an event in the presence of Pope Leo XIV[22]. This high-profile celebration is organized by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue along with the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, symbolizing how Nostra Aetate’s spirit of dialogue unites both the interreligious and ecumenical efforts of the Church. The following morning, Oct. 29, the Holy Father will include the interfaith delegation in his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square[23]. There, the Pope is expected to address themes of religious fraternity and peace before the tens of thousands of pilgrims and visitors. The presence of the Pope at these events sends a powerful message: the Catholic Church at its highest level remains committed to the path of dialogue charted by Nostra Aetate. It also offers a vivid public witness of friendship among religions – an image sure to be noted by media and observers worldwide. For political leaders and policymakers attentive to issues of social cohesion, this meeting highlights how faith communities can come together in unity rather than division.
- Catholic–Jewish Relations and Ongoing Challenges (Oct. 29 afternoon): The conference’s final day turns to Nostra Aetate’s Section 4, which transformed Catholic-Jewish relations. A dedicated session on “Reflecting on Nostra Aetate 4” will feature dialogue between leading Jewish figures and Catholic experts. Rabbi Noam Marans, Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations at the American Jewish Committee, will join Bishop Etienne Vetö (Auxiliary Bishop of Reims, France) in discussing the remarkable journey from mistrust to mutual esteem between Jews and Catholics[24]. Over the past 60 years, there has been a “veritable transformation”: from a history of conflict and estrangement, we now see regular cooperation, shared studies, and even friendships between the two faiths – a change Nostra Aetate made possible[4]. Also speaking will be Dr. Karma Ben Johanan of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a scholar of religious relations, and Fr. David Meyer of the Gregorian University, who brings a perspective rooted in the Church’s efforts to understand Judaism anew[24]. They, along with German theologian Dr. Axel Töllner (an expert on Christian-Jewish studies), will candidly assess how far Catholic-Jewish dialogue has come and what challenges still lie ahead[24]. Topics likely include the fight against lingering anti-Semitism – something Nostra Aetate unequivocally condemned[5] – as well as theological questions (e.g. understanding of covenant and mission) that continue to be discussed in a spirit of respect. Given recent surges in anti-Semitic incidents globally, this conversation remains acutely relevant.
- Conclusion and Next Steps: As the conference draws to a close late Wednesday, Oct. 29, a final session aptly titled “Highlights of the Conference” will synthesize insights and outline future paths. This wrap-up will be chaired by Prof. Massimo Gargiulo and will hear concluding thoughts from Ambrogio Bongiovanni (the conference director) and Fr. Christian Rutishauser, SJ of the University of Lucerne[24][25]. They will likely distill the key lessons learned and propose ways to carry the momentum forward. Expect them to challenge participants – and the broader Catholic community – to continue “rethinking” Nostra Aetate beyond this event, applying its principles in new contexts and ensuring the dialogue continues to grow in inclusivity and depth.
Six decades after Nostra Aetate, its vision of interfaith friendship is no longer just aspirational theology – it has become a daily reality in many places. The Rome conference is not only an academic or ecclesial gathering; it carries significance for all who care about peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic world. In an era when religion is at times manipulated to sow division or justify violence, Nostra Aetate offers a different narrative: one of understanding, solidarity, and hope across religious boundaries. The conference’s very makeup – bringing diverse faith leaders under one roof – sends a message that dialogue is both possible and fruitful. It echoes Pope Francis’s call for “open and respectful” dialogue where mutual respect is both the starting point and the goal[26]. Such respect entails defending each other’s rights and dignity: “respecting others’ right to life, to physical integrity, to fundamental freedoms, namely freedom of conscience, of thought, of expression and of religion,” as the Pope has emphasized[26].
Crucially, interreligious dialogue is shown not as an end in itself, but as a catalyst for joint action on humanity’s great challenges. Nostra Aetate envisioned that Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others, enlightened by their deepest religious values, could work together for the common good. Today, the world “is looking to us believers” to cooperate in addressing issues like peace and conflict resolution, poverty and inequality, climate change, and moral decline, Pope Francis notes[27]. None of these problems can be solved by one group alone, but people of faith, together with those of goodwill with no religious affiliation, possess a powerful resource: the capacity for prayer, moral conviction, and communal action[27][28]. Interfaith understanding strengthens this capacity. When dialogue is done with “confident respect,” it can “bring seeds of good” that blossom into concrete cooperation – from defending human rights and assisting the poor to welcoming migrants and protecting the environment[28]. In short, the spirit of Nostra Aetate is directly tied to building a more just and harmonious world. This is why political leaders and policy makers may take a keen interest in the outcomes of such a conference: it highlights religion’s potential as a force for peace and unity rather than conflict.
For the Catholic Church, commemorating Nostra Aetate at 60 is not about looking back with nostalgia – it is about renewing a mission. As the conference title “Towards the Future” suggests, the aim is to chart a path forward for interreligious engagement in the 21st century. New generations are growing up in an increasingly interconnected global community, where encounters with people of different faiths are part of daily life. The questions Church leaders and theologians face now include how to educate young Catholics for dialogue, how to collaborate with other faith communities to heal a fractured world, and how to remain faithful to one’s own religious identity while being genuinely open to others. The discussions in Rome will grapple with these questions, informed by the wisdom of multiple traditions.
In convening such a broad range of voices – from cardinals to swamis, from imams to rabbis, from academic experts to grassroots activists – this conference exemplifies the very ethos of Nostra Aetate. Dialogue, mutual respect, and friendship across religions will be on full display. The hope is that this event will not only celebrate past achievements but also inspire new initiatives: perhaps updated guidelines for interfaith education, fresh theological reflections, or joint peacebuilding projects. The presence of the Pope and top Vatican officials indicates any valuable insights might well inform future Church policies or statements on interreligious relations.
As the delegates disperse after October 29th, the true measure of the conference’s success will be seen in the actions that follow. Will it spark renewed energy in local Christian-Jewish or Christian-Muslim dialogues around the world? Will it encourage political and religious leaders to jointly address issues like intolerance and injustice? Those organizing the event seem confident that revisiting Nostra Aetate in our time will indeed bear fruit. “Rethinking Nostra Aetate involves reimagining how it might be ‘rewritten today’… in the face of new complexities and religious pluralities,” the organizers say[29]. In Rome this October, that reimagining process will unfold live, inviting the global community to join in.
For anyone invested in interfaith harmony – be it religious leaders, academics, lay faithful, or even secular policymakers – this conference is poised to be a milestone. It is a chance to affirm how far we’ve come since 1965, and to acknowledge how far we still have to go “towards the future”. In the spirit of Nostra Aetate, the gathering in Rome will proclaim once more that we are all fellow travelers, searching for answers to life’s great questions and striving to build a world where diversity is a source of enrichment, not division[30][26].
As Nostra Aetate itself concluded 60 years ago, “we cannot truly pray to God the Father of all, if we treat any people as other than brothers and sisters.” This upcoming conference seeks to put that principle into practice – reminding the world that in our time, unity and friendship across faiths are not only possible, but indispensable for our shared future.
Sources:
- Pontifical Gregorian University – Press release for “Towards the Future: Re-thinking Nostra Aetate Today”[1][7][9][19]
- Second Vatican Council – Declaration Nostra Aetate (1965) – Vatican.va (cited via Pope Francis’ 2015 address)[2][4][3]
- Pope Francis – General Audience on 50th Anniversary of Nostra Aetate, Oct. 28 2015[26][27][28]
- America Magazine – “‘Nostra Aetate’ at 50” (2015)[5][6]
- Conference Program – “Towards the Future: Re-thinking Nostra Aetate Today” (Gregorian University, 2025)[12][14][15][17][20][21][24][22]
