“Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs in Europe: Building Fraternity through Dialogue and Collaboration”

23-24 June 2026

Some prominent religious leaders, academics, scholars and representatives of Christianity and the Dharmic religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism) gathered in Rome from 23-24 June 2026 at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), for a conference on the theme: “Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs in Europe: Building Fraternity through Dialogue and Collaboration.”

Promoted by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in continuity with its previous initiatives, the conference brought together individuals committed to strengthening human fraternity through interreligious dialogue and cooperation in Europe. Conducted in a cordial atmosphere and in a spirit of respect and openness, the conference offered to all participants an opportunity for mutual listening, learning and enrichment.

The participants reflected on the challenges facing contemporary societies and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and collaboration as means of fostering understanding, solidarity and hope. In this context, they acknowledged the foundational role of fraternity for building cohesive and peaceful communities.

They also underlined that believers, while serving as credible witnesses of their morals and faith convictions, must never shy away from contributing to the flourishing of fraternity through concrete actions that promote peace, harmony and the wellbeing of all. In addition, they highlighted the importance of strengthening mutual respect, cooperation and engagement today, while remaining rooted in their respective religious traditions.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to nurturing a culture of encounter and collaboration for the common good. Participants expressed their hope that such collaboration will continue to inspire the wider society and contribute to the building of fraternity and peace.

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