Vatican Archbishop Diplomat at the United Nations Reiterates Pope Leo XIV's Call for "disarming communication" and Interreligious Dialogue for Peace
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In his statement to the Global Conference, Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis reasserts the Holy See's stance that human dignity is inviolable, making the rejection of hate speech, discrimination, and intolerance a moral imperative. Emphasizing that true tolerance requires active dialogue and respect for freedom of conscience rather than passive indifference, he draws on the words of Pope Leo XIV to call for "disarming communication" by stripping it of hostility, prejudice, and aggression. Ultimately, the Holy See argues that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it carries a vital responsibility not to incite hatred, asserting that peaceful coexistence and social peace begin with responsible, respectful, and attentive speech. His speech comes just after the landmark document marking the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's landmark declaration Nostra Aetate. Three Vatican Dicasteries—Doctrine of the Faith, Promoting Christian Unity, and Interreligious Dialogue—they jointly published a 20-page document entitled "A Journey of Hope."(Image: On 16 September 2026 His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis presented his Credential Letters as a Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations to His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General)
Statement of the Holy See at the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech
By H. E. Archbishop Christophe Z. El KassisApostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
New York, 17 September 2026
Mr. Chair,
My Delegation would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect for organizing today’s conference.
The Holy See reaffirms that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inviolable dignity that no ideology, ideology of hatred, or expression of contempt may diminish. From this foundational truth flows the moral imperative to reject every form of intolerance, discrimination, and hate speech that wounds the human family and undermines the conditions for peaceful coexistence.
Hate speech – whether directed against individuals or communities on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, nationality, or any other characteristic – contradicts the commandment to love one’s neighbor, poisons public discourse, inflames division, and too often prepares the ground for violence and persecution.
As Pope Leo XIV says “The first contribution we can make toward a more humane civilization is to be mindful of our words. […] Words have enormous power, something we experience in our daily interactions.”[1] By disarming words, the first steps are taken to weave the fabric of social peace and foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and respect for differences.
However, peace cannot be woven by words alone. True tolerance is not indifference or relativism. It is the active recognition of the equal dignity of every person and the freedom of conscience that belongs to each. It requires the patient effort of dialogue, mutual understanding, and the rejection of stereotypes. In this spirit the Holy See promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue as an essential path toward overcoming prejudice and building a better world for all.
Mr. Chair,
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be protected. Yet this freedom carries corresponding responsibilities. Speech that deliberately incites hatred or violence cannot claim the protection of liberty; rather, it erodes the very conditions in which genuine freedom can flourish. Pope Leo XIV insists “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice. Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world. Disarmed and disarming communication allows us to share a different view of the world and to act in a manner consistent with our human dignity.”[2]
I thank you.
__________________________________________
[1] Pope Leo XIV, Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas, 214.
[2] Pope Leo XIV, Address to the representatives of the Media, 12 May 2025.
Statement of the Holy See at the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech
By H. E. Archbishop Christophe Z. El KassisApostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
New York, 17 September 2026
Mr. Chair,
My Delegation would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect for organizing today’s conference.
The Holy See reaffirms that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inviolable dignity that no ideology, ideology of hatred, or expression of contempt may diminish. From this foundational truth flows the moral imperative to reject every form of intolerance, discrimination, and hate speech that wounds the human family and undermines the conditions for peaceful coexistence.
Hate speech – whether directed against individuals or communities on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, nationality, or any other characteristic – contradicts the commandment to love one’s neighbor, poisons public discourse, inflames division, and too often prepares the ground for violence and persecution.
As Pope Leo XIV says “The first contribution we can make toward a more humane civilization is to be mindful of our words. […] Words have enormous power, something we experience in our daily interactions.”[1] By disarming words, the first steps are taken to weave the fabric of social peace and foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and respect for differences.
However, peace cannot be woven by words alone. True tolerance is not indifference or relativism. It is the active recognition of the equal dignity of every person and the freedom of conscience that belongs to each. It requires the patient effort of dialogue, mutual understanding, and the rejection of stereotypes. In this spirit the Holy See promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue as an essential path toward overcoming prejudice and building a better world for all.
Mr. Chair,
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be protected. Yet this freedom carries corresponding responsibilities. Speech that deliberately incites hatred or violence cannot claim the protection of liberty; rather, it erodes the very conditions in which genuine freedom can flourish. Pope Leo XIV insists “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice. Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world. Disarmed and disarming communication allows us to share a different view of the world and to act in a manner consistent with our human dignity.”[2]
I thank you.
__________________________________________
[1] Pope Leo XIV, Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas, 214.
[2] Pope Leo XIV, Address to the representatives of the Media, 12 May 2025.
On 16 September 2026 His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis presented his Credential Letters as a Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations to His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General pic.twitter.com/tQacVwGAND
— Holy See Mission to the UN (@HolySeeUN) September 18, 2026
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