Hindus have commended Vatican for its “message for the feast of Deepavali”, wishing them “a joyful Deepavali”.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, welcomed the Vatican for wishing: “May your celebrations around the world deepen your familial bonds, and bring joy and peace to your homes and communities.”

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, extolled Vatican’s thought on the occasion, which stated: “If humanity is to prosper and live in peace, then families must embrace this work of nurturing hope and encouraging their children to be heralds of hope to the world.”

Rajan Zed agreed with Vatican’s thoughts given in the message: “The health of society depends on our familial bonds”, “As Christians and Hindus…may we bring hope’s light to every corner of our world, offering consolation and strength to all in need” and “parents, together with the wider community, instil in their children a sense of hope by guiding them towards a better future and the pursuit of the good, even in the face of adversity.”

Zed urged His Holiness Pope Francis to visit a Hindu temple in the near future to promote mutual understanding and respect between the faiths. All religions should work together for a just and peaceful world, Zed stressed.

Rajan Zed says that in our shared pursuit for the truth, we can learn from one another and thus can arrive nearer to the truth. This dialogue may help us vanquish the stereotypes, prejudices, caricatures, etc., passed on to us from previous generations. As dialogue brings us reciprocal enrichment, we shall be spiritually richer than before the contact, Zed adds.

Titled— Christians and Hindus:  Promoting hope among families—this Deepavali message was signed by President Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Secretary Father Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot of Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Pope Francis leads the Roman Catholic Church (headquartered in Vatican City), which is the largest of the Christian denominations. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Most popular of Hindu festivals Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It falls on October 30 this year.