By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Mar 7, 2025 / 12:15 pm
The Vatican extends its solidarity to Muslims observing the Ramadan fast, highlighting the commonality of fasting and penance during Lent among Catholics. The call for increased dialogue and friendship between the two faiths was emphasized in a message from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue on March 7.
Emphasizing the importance of fraternity and genuine dialogue in today’s world, the message states, “Together, Muslims and Christians can demonstrate hope through friendship, transcending historical burdens and exclusionary ideologies.”
It further adds, “Hope, as a virtue, is grounded in faith in God, the Merciful, our Creator.”
Ramadan in 2025 spans from approximately Feb. 28 to March 29, concluding with the three-day celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
Meanwhile, the Lenten season for Christians began on March 5 and will conclude on April 17 with the Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
“This year, Ramadan coincides with Lent, a time for Christians to engage in fasting, prayer, and spiritual renewal in Christ,” noted the dicastery.
