Petito’s appointment recognises how interreligious dialogue is increasingly important for peace and international relations.
The goal of the Dicastery is to promote respect, mutual understanding, and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of others religious traditions.
Petito may be the first ever expert of international relations appointed to the role.
Fabio Petito, Professor of Religion and International Affairs (International Relations) has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the role of Consultor for the Holy See Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
A "consultor" (consultant) for the Holy See is an expert - often a cleric or layperson - appointed for a specific term (usually 3-5 years) to provide specialised advice, studies, and opinions to a Vatican Dicastery (department) on matters within their competence, assisting with governance, theology, or specific issues like justice, culture, or doctrine, with appointments announced in the Holy See Press Office Bulletin.
The goal of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue is to promote respect, mutual understanding, and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of others religious traditions. Due to the universal nature of the Catholic Church, the Dicastery has collaborators on every continent. Its Rome base “animates the Church to carry out her mission of interreligious dialogue”.
Although traditionally consultors for the Holy See Dicastery were theologians, canon lawyers and experts of other religious tradition, Professor Petito’s appointment recognises how interreligious dialogue is increasingly important for peace and international relations. He may also be the first ever expert of international relations appointed to the role, demonstrating recognition of the impact of interreligious dialogue in different aspects of international affairs from peacebuilding to the promotion of sustainable development and the advancement of Human rights.
The appointment followed recommendation of Petito by officials of the Dicastery with whom he has collaborated. For example, last year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate (landmark 1965 declaration from the Second Vatican Council that revolutionised the Catholic Church's relationship with non-Christian religions), Petito published the article 'Interreligious Dialogue through the lens of International Relations' in the Dicastery journal Pro Dialogo. Going forward, he will be approached on a case-by-case basis to advise or assist on projects deemed within his area of expertise.
Professor Petito said:
“This is a great honour and responsibility for me, and a recognition from the leadership of the Catholic Church that there are growing political and social implications of interreligious dialogue for peacebuilding and international relations.”