Vatican greets Hindus for Diwali

The Vatican greeted Hindus on the eve of Diwali by calling for greater "friendship and cooperation by mutually enhancing respect and trust."

"As in the past, we join you in the celebration of Diwali, sending you our sincere greetings and congratulations. May God, the Supreme Light illumine your minds, enlighten your hearts and strengthen the human bonds in your homes and communities," the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue stated in a letter titled "Christians and Hindus: Toward Enhancing of Mutual Respect, Trust and Cooperation."

The greeting highlighted the need for 'mutual respect' and 'mutual trust' which it said was "one of the fundamentals for peaceful and harmonious co-existence as well as progress in society."

"This shared conviction creates in individuals and communities a readiness and willingness to enter into productive cooperation not only in the area of doing good in general, but also, addressing the grave and unresolved challenges of our times," reads the letter signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the pontifical council.

"Applying the above to our engagement in appreciating and promoting interreligious dialogue and relations, we well know that respect and trust are not optional extras but the very pillars on which the edifice of our engagement itself stands."

The letter, also signed by Secretary Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, concludes with an appeal to give "greater visibility with every means in our power to a culture that promotes respect, trust and cooperation."

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by millions of Hindus around the world. This year, the festival falls on November 5.