The new October edition of The Pope Video is released today, featuring Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention: “Let us pray that believers of different religious traditions may work together in the defense and promotion of peace, justice, and human fraternity.” His intention, which the Pope entrusts this month to the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, comes at a time marked by conflict and polarization, when religions sometimes yield to the logic of confrontation. The Pope, however, invites us to rediscover in religion a bridge of fraternity and a force for reconciliation.

Not weapons or walls, but bridges and prophecy

The profound meaning of the prayer read by Pope Leo XIV is that collaboration among believers should not be relegated to theologians and experts, but rather be nourished by a concrete, daily commitment that involves each of us. In fact, the Pope prays that we may learn to             “recognize one another as brothers and sisters, called to live, pray, work, and dream together.” He also invokes the Spirit to “recognize what unites us” and “collaborate without destroying.” The different religious traditions are called to be “the leaven of unity in a fragmented world.” He continues, recalling that the opposite often occurs: “Instead of uniting us, it becomes a cause of conflict.”

Hence, his invitation extends to all believers, Christians and non-Christians. He exhorts: “Let religions not be used as weapons or walls, but rather be lived as bridges and prophecies“, and then goes on to cite existing “concrete examples of peace, justice, and fraternity.”

From above and from below

The video recounts several concrete examples that intertwine with moments “from above” and initiatives “from below.” On the one hand, there are historical milestones in the interreligious journey: the historic meeting organized by Pope John Paul II in Assisi in 1986; the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Synagogue of Rome in 2010; the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019, under the pontificate of Pope Francis ; and even the most recent ecumenical meetings of Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.

On the other hand, this month’s prayer intention reminds us that interreligious dialogue cannot be limited to meetings between leaders. Therefore, the video images highlight experiences organized at the local level or by ecclesial organizations: the interreligious meeting organized in Singapore in April 2025 by Caritas and the Archdiocese to commemorate Earth Day; or the  “One Human Family” event organized by the Focolare Movement between May and June 2024. These are two recent and concrete signs of a dialogue that creates closeness, trust, and daily cooperation.

Nostra Aetate, 60 fruitful years

This prayer intention is part of the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Declaration of the Second Vatican Council that transformed the Catholic Church’s relationship with other religions, paving the way for dialogue, respect, and collaboration. The production of The Pope Video marks the beginning of a month in which various initiatives are planned to reflect on the legacy of the conciliar document in contemporary society.

Ten years ago, on the 50th anniversary of  Nostra Aetate, Pope Francis highlighted its relevance, recalling that the path of dialogue requires mutual understanding, respect, and esteem, and that the world is asking believers for effective responses to peace, hunger, poverty, the environmental crisis, and violence, especially that committed in the name of religion. In this context, the Pope also emphasized that believers do not have “recipes” for every problem, but they do have a great resource:  prayer, our treasure, which we draw upon according to our respective traditions.

A commitment that continues

“The theme of interreligious dialogue is significant, often present in papal intentions,” explains Fr. Cristóbal Fones, SJ, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. He recalls that “this has happened several times over the years during the month of January, coinciding with the World Day of Peace.” In 2016, for example, he prayed that “sincere dialogue between men and women of different religions may bear fruits of peace and justice”; in 2020, “may Christians, those who follow other religions, and people of good will promote peace and justice in the world”; in 2021, “may the Lord give us the grace to live in full fraternity with our brothers and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all.” The intention of October 2025 is therefore part of this process, testifying to a path—that of dialogue—that the Popes hold very dear.

“Meetings between leaders of different religions,” Father Fones continues, “are always newsworthy, as is right, because they give hope at a time when the temptation of conflict threatens the need for encounter. But the prayer read by Pope Leo XIV this month tells us that collaboration is built even when it is not newsworthy, that is, in everyday life: by getting to know and respect one another, learning from one another, praying together for humanity, defending and promoting peace in the places where we live. These are daily lifestyles that we can all choose: seeking what unites us and working for the common good alongside our brothers and sisters of different faiths. In this way, believers become artisans of peace and fraternity. The October Pope Video indicates a path: recognizing the dignity of every person, defending justice, sowing peace.”

Finally, in the context of the Holy Year 2025, the Pope Video takes on special relevance, since, through it, we learn about the prayer intentions the Pope has in his heart. To properly receive the graces of the Jubilee indulgence, it is necessary to pray for the Pope’s intentions.