In a significant move to strengthen the Church’s global outreach and dialogue with other faiths, Pope Leo XIV has appointed two influential Church leaders—Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran—to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
The appointments were announced on July 3, 2025, and reported by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language partner of Catholic News Agency (CNA). The move comes as part of a broader reshuffle aimed at deepening interfaith collaboration in today’s complex religious landscape.
Both cardinals bring deep regional and ecclesial experience to the dicastery. Cardinal Pizzaballa, known for his diplomatic and pastoral work in the Middle East, also serves in the offices for Eastern Churches and Christian Unity. Cardinal Mathieu, on the other hand, already contributes to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and has been a key figure in Catholic-Muslim engagement in Iran.
The reshuffle also includes new members from Japan and Canada, along with bishops and lay experts who specialize in fostering interreligious understanding.
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue plays a crucial role in the Church’s mission to build bridges of peace and understanding between the Catholic Church and non-Christian religions. With the inclusion of voices from regions often marked by religious tension, the Holy See signals its renewed commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and mutual respect.
