Image courtesy of EWTN.

On May 9, 2025, the ISKCON Global Ministry of Communications released the following statement regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV:

“The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) offers its congratulations on the appointment of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

We are heartened that in his first public remarks, delivered from the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope has stated that ‘God loves everyone. We can be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, that is always open to receive everyone.’

Significantly, this year, 2025, marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, an official document wherein the Church expressed appreciation for, and openness to, other religious traditions:

‘The Church, therefore, exhorts her sons, that through dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions, carried out with prudence and love, and in witness to the Christian faith and life, they recognize, preserve, and promote the good things, spiritual and moral, as well as the socio-cultural values found among these men.’

Just three years after Nostra Aetate was adopted, on August 3rd, 1968, ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada wrote to His Holiness Pope Paul VI requesting a meeting to discuss how ISKCON and the Catholic Church could cooperate together in spreading love of God:

‘Your Holiness:

Please accept my respectful humble obeisances at Your lotus feet….

The principle of [our scripture] Srimad-Bhagavatam is that any religious faith which helps a man to develop Love of God, without any motive, and without being hampered by any material condition, is transcendental religion…Unfortunately, at the present moment, people…are gradually declining in God consciousness…because Your Holiness is the Head of a great religious sect, I think we should meet together and chalk out a program for cooperation…’

Thus, we too are committed to dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation to help address the ills of the world and promote well-being for all. We sincerely hope that under the guidance of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, interfaith dialogue and collaboration will continue to grow—as desired and promoted by both our traditions—fostering mutual respect and understanding among all the world’s religious communities.

We look forward to working together toward our shared goals: uplifting the human spirit, promoting moral and spiritual values, awakening love of God throughout the world, and striving for lasting peace for all.”

You can download a .pdf of the statement here.