Seated side by side were Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Orthodox Christians and Muslims. At the centre, in the place of honour, lay a document signed by them all which, at this historical moment marked by division and conflict, carries considerable significance by drawing its strength from unanimous commitment to dialogue and social cohesion. It is the Interfaith Pact, signed on 25 June 2026 by the leaders of the religious denominations and traditions present in Italy and taking part in the National Interreligious Forum.

The signing ceremony took place in the Auditorium of the Ara Pacis Museum, a venue chosen with deliberate symbolism. The Ara Pacis is one of the most important monuments of ancient Rome. Inaugurated in 9 BC, it was commissioned by Emperor Augustus as a symbol of the peace restored after the military campaigns in Spain and Gaul. It is a place where, as Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, reflected, "peace achieved through force was celebrated, yet it also became the foundation of law. At a time when the terms have been reversed and people speak of the 'law of force' rather than the 'force of law', being here helps us to face our differences and transform them into a source of enrichment."

The document, which formally recognises the initiative The Italian Way of Dialogue: Religions in the Public Sphere and for Social Cohesion, consists of a preamble, nine commitments and nine practical actions. These include the establishment of a National Day of Interreligious Dialogue, the promotion of joint educational projects on peace and citizenship, action against hate speech, the enhancement of the role of women within the various religious traditions, and the creation of permanent opportunities for encounters among religious communities.

The word that appears most frequently throughout the document is dialogue, which, Cardinal Zuppi observed, "makes us all stronger and more aware of who we are." He added: "We must never think that identity consists in speaking over others. Dialogue strengthens everyone's identity." According to the President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, hatred and prejudice can only be overcome through genuine mutual knowledge capable of transforming diversity from a source of conflict into an opportunity for shared growth.

The Pact forms part of the long tradition of dialogue promoted by the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council. The declaration Nostra Aetate reminds us that the Church "rejects nothing that is true and holy" in other religions and encourages believers to foster "mutual understanding and esteem" through dialogue and cooperation. This vision has been further developed over recent decades by successive Popes—from Saint John Paul II to Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV—all convinced that authentic faith does not fuel confrontation but rather becomes a source of fraternity and peace.

Equally significant is the Pact's harmony with the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which states that "dialogue, understanding and the spread of a culture of tolerance, acceptance of others and peaceful coexistence contribute decisively to reducing many problems." The Rome Pact translates this principle into a practical commitment for Italian society, pointing towards a path based not on abstract declarations but on shared and measurable initiatives.

The signed text is the fruit of a process that began in 2023, to which young delegates from the various religious communities also contributed. Pina De Simone, consultant to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, described it as "a Pact with a profoundly humanising significance, a courageous assumption of responsibility and a document that must become a living reality in every community."

Following the signing ceremony, the fifteen religious leaders each addressed those present, unanimously recognising that the path of dialogue is not the easiest, but it is the only one capable of building lasting coexistence. All reaffirmed that authentic dialogue does not weaken the identity of individual religious communities; rather, it helps them to mature and contributes to the development of a more united and fraternal society. Differences, they stressed, can become bridges, while religions themselves can become a precious resource for the common good.

Later that afternoon, the leaders of the religious denominations and traditions were received by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. Two young representatives presented the Head of State with a copy of the Pact on the very day marking the eightieth anniversary of the first sitting of Italy's Constituent Assembly, underlining the close relationship between religious pluralism, the values enshrined in the Constitution, and the building of a society founded upon mutual respect, freedom of conscience and the dignity of every human person.

The shared hope is that the Pact will not remain merely a symbolic gesture but will become a permanent method of cooperation among the various faith communities. At a time when wars, extremism and growing polarisation appear to dominate the international scene, interreligious dialogue presents itself as one of the most fruitful laboratories for rebuilding trust, promoting a culture of encounter, and offering the younger generations a genuine hope for peace.

Vedi, Siglato a Roma il Patto tra le religioni

Photo: Diocese of Rome / Gennari