Mon Feb 16, 2026 - 6:00 pm ESTTue Feb 17, 2026 - 5:55 am EST VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — A Catholic priest who spent years leading interreligious initiatives has now been appointed the new bishop of a diocese in India. On February 14, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Francisco Antonio Agnelo Jacinto Pinheiro, a priest of the Archdiocese of Goa and Damão, as bishop of Sindhudurg. A former professor of philosophy at the local diocesan seminary, Pinheiro has directed the Apostolate of Interreligious Dialogue in that archdiocese since 2018, organizing and moderating numerous “interfaith events” that brought together Catholic, Hindu, and Muslim participants. “God is the creator of this planet; we are called to cooperate with the Creator for the well‑being of this world. When we live in harmony, fraternity, and unity, we can build a better and more peaceful world,” Pinheiro said in one of his public statements. “Our mission to promote religious harmony and ensure a peaceful world begins now.” …
Papa Benedetto sottolineò, in una catechesi del mercoledì, che la Chiesa dei primissimi tempi fu apertissima e molto interessata al discorso filosofico e agli strumenti di ragionamento e approfondimento ("Filosofia"), mentre fu TOTALMENTE CHIUSA alle "religioni" pagane che incontrava