John XXIII - Opening the Door
Moved by an intuition that the whole Church was in need of renewal, Pope John convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962.
Vatican II is one of the most important interfaith events in Church history. In choosing to respectfully acknowledge the presence of grace, truth and holiness in other religious traditions, the Council has changed the Catholic Church forever.
While serving as a Vatican diplomat in Greece during the Second World War, Pope John XXIII did what he could to prevent the deportation of Jews. So great an impression did Pope John make upon the Jewish community of Rome that the Chief Rabbi and a number of his congregants went to St. Peter's Square to pray for the dying pontiff during his final days.
Paul VI - Interfaith Architect
Paul VI nourished a dream of a Church in conversation with other religions and cultures. In fact, he is the chief architect of a Catholic infrastructure for interreligious relations.
Even before the Council had ended, he established the Secretariat for Non-Christians (later renamed the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue). The Pontifical Council is the Church's major vehicle for negotiating dialogue with other religions.
Paul VI's first encyclical, Ecclesiam Suam, focused on the importance of interfaith dialogue. During each of his six pastoral trips abroad, he met with local leaders of world religions. When he visited India, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets and stood in silence. Hindus regard a religious leader, of whatever faith, as a special manifestation of God.
John Paul II - Interfaith Pilgrim
John Paul II readily embraced Paul VI's commitment to dialogue and quickly expanded the interfaith work, bringing a hands-on, practical approach and a tireless capacity for travel. Here are some of his many accomplishments: