Current Topics

See below for more information and resources on topics related to current dialogues and relations, Responding to Racism, Ut Unum Sint, Addressing Antisemitism, Laudato Si's Anniversary Year, the Document on Human Fraternity, Pope Pius XII's Wartime Archives, and Pope Francis and Dialogue.

Responding to Racism

"But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart." - Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love

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25th Year of Ut Unum Sint

On May 25, 1995, Pope Saint John Paul II released his encyclical Ut Unum Sint, On Commitment to Ecumenism. In this letter, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Church's ecumenical commitment made at the Second Vatican Council, expounded on the papal role in the movement, and elaborated on the spiritual foundation of the call to Christian unity. This year marks its 25th anniversary, and we take a moment to look back at the progress that has been made, our present understandings, and our goals for the future.

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Addressing Antisemitism

In the face of rising antisemitic activity in the United States and around the world, Church leaders have spoken out about the Church's commitment to the Jewish people and in condemnation of anti-Judaism and antisemitism.

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Anniversary Year of Laudato Si'

Pope Francis announced a celebratory Anniversary Year from May 24, 2020-May 24, 2021 in honor of Laudato Si': "I invite all people of good will to participate, in order to take care of our common home and our most fragile brothers and sisters."

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The Document on Human Fraternity

On February 4, 2019, Pope Francis and Ahmad el-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, signed the ground-breaking document in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Since that time, a Higher Committee on Human Fraternity has been formed and is working to implement the document's vision.

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Wartime Archives of Pope Pius XII's Pontificate

Pope Pius XII led the Catholic Church from 1939 to 1958, including some of the most trying times in modern history. In the decades since his reign, historians have been particularly interested in his behaviors and actions during the Second World War. Recently, Pope Francis has announced the opening of the Vatican's archive regarding this time period.

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Pope Francis and Dialogue

"I cannot ever tire of encouraging you to dialogue fearlessly."

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Past Topics

Past topics have included Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Dialogue and more.

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