US EditionPope Leo Channels His Inner Benedict XVI by Extolling ‘Healthy Secularism’
Pope Leo XIV highlighted that healthy secularism affirms religion’s value while maintaining a clear distinction from politics to support dialogue and societal respect.
- On Sept. 29, 2025, Pope Leo XIV urged European institutions to embrace 'healthy secularism' that 'affirms the value of religion while preserving the distinction — not separation or confusion — from the political sphere.'
- Because authentic religious practice, the pope said, strengthens community bonds, Pope Leo XIV argued that a well-cultivated religious dimension enhances interpersonal relationships and urges Christian politicians to promote dialogue centered on human dignity.
- The European Parliament's Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue, an initiative of the European People's Party, seeks citizen involvement across faiths and met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, where Manfred Weber presented a gift.
- Leo XIV thanked the Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue, asked God to bless their efforts promoting dialogue and respect, and urged a public style affirming religion’s value.
- Looking broader, the pope echoed Pope Benedict XVI's framing of healthy secularism that balances religions and governments to promote the common good and free exercise of worship.
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Pope Leo channels his inner Benedict XVI by extolling ‘healthy secularism’
ROME – Channeling his inner Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Leo met a “Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue” yesterday sponsored by the European Parliament and extolled what he called “healthy secularism,” a core concept for the late German pontiff which he elaborated and advocated in a variety of venues. “European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism, that is, a style of thinking and acting that affir…
Pope Leo XIV: ‘European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism’
Pope Leo XIV meets with members of the European Parliament’s Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue on Sept. 29, 2025, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media Vatican City, Sep 29, 2025 / 14:52 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Mond... [...]
Pope Leo XIV: ‘European Institutions Need People Who Know How to Live a Healthy Secularism’
Pope Leo XIV meets with members of the European Parliament’s Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue on Sept. 29, 2025, at the Vatican. The Pope urged the cultivation of a style of thought and action that affirms the value of religion in the public square.
Pope encourages European parliamentarians to pursue ‘healthy secularism’
"European institutions need people who know how to live a healthy secularism, that is, a style of thinking and acting that affirms the value of religion while preserving the distinction -- not separation or confusion -- from the political sphere," the pope said.
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