Religious leaders, scholars, academics, and representatives of Europe’s dharmic faith communities gathered in Rome to explore how interreligious dialogue can strengthen fraternity and inspire practical collaboration, culminating in an audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
A delegation from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, participated in the international interfaith conference, titled “Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs in Europe: Building Fraternity through Dialogue and Collaboration,” held on 23 & 24 June 2026 at the Angelicum – Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas – in Rome.
Convened by the Catholic Church’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, the conference was organised in partnership with a wide coalition of institutions, including the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, the Focolare Movement, the Angelicum’s Institute for Interreligious Relations, the Hindu Forum of Europe, the European Buddhist Union, the Institute of Jainology, and the Sikhi Sewa Society of Italy. It brought together more than 150 religious leaders, scholars, academics, and faith representatives from across Europe, together with senior officials of the Holy See.
The programme featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interreligious dialogue sessions, creating an exchange between academics, who examined the opportunities and challenges of religious pluralism in contemporary Europe, and faith leaders, who shared practical experience of fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration within their communities.
Opening the conference, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, acknowledged that fraternity is often dismissed as a distant ideal amid the wars, divisions, and hatred of the present age – yet insisted it remains a concrete and lived reality, capable of enduring even in a fractured world.
Throughout the conference, participants reaffirmed that dialogue and collaboration are essential to building more peaceful and cohesive societies. While remaining firmly rooted in their own faith traditions, they emphasised the importance of engaging openly and respectfully with others and translating fraternity into practical action that promotes peace, harmony, and the common good.
BAPS was represented by a delegation of eight members, including two swamis, who joined fellow participants in this shared commitment to fostering mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration.
During the opening session of the conference, Paramtattvadas Swami was invited to felicitate Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad by presenting him with a traditional shawl.
On 24 June, the conference concluded as the full body of participants joined His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s traditional Wednesday General Audience in St Peter’s Square. Within this setting, BAPS representatives were received for a special audience with His Holiness.
During the audience, BAPS representatives recalled the historic meeting between His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and His Holiness Pope John Paul II, held at the Vatican on 7 April 1984. A photograph commemorating that landmark occasion was presented to Pope Leo XIV, highlighting more than four decades of earnest dialogue and mutual respect between BAPS and the Catholic Church.
The representatives also presented a recent photograph of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, together with two gifts and a message of love, peace, harmony, and respect.
The first gift, a mala (Hindu rosary), represented the belief that although people of different faiths pray in different ways, they are united by one Divine thread. Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s episcopal motto, ‘In illo Uno unum’ (‘In the One, we are one’), the representatives reflected on humanity’s shared search for God, peace, and the common good.
The second gift, a traditional diya (sacred lamp), reflected the Hindu belief that the light of love, peace and harmony always triumphs over the darkness of hatred, violence and discord. Presented on behalf of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the gifts expressed BAPS’s continued commitment to prayer, friendship, and interfaith dialogue.
Reflecting on the conference and the audience, Paramtattvadas Swami said, “These two days have reminded us that dialogue is not simply about listening to one another; it is about walking together in friendship and serving society together. We were deeply honoured to convey the blessings and heartfelt message of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. The exchange of these gifts expressed our shared aspiration that faith should always be a source of peace, compassion, and harmony.”
Participation in the conference and the audience with Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed BAPS’s longstanding commitment to working alongside people of all faiths in promoting peace, harmony, and selfless service.