John Paul II on Christ, the Holy Spirit, and World Religions

In Lumen gentium (November 1964), Nostra aetate (October 1965), Ad gentes (December 1965), and Gaudium et spes (December 1965), Vatican II broke new ground for understanding and interpreting relations between Christ as universal Saviour, the Catholic Church, and the religions of the world. But the Council left the question open: how can we rightly acknowledge the spiritual gifts of others and at the same time maintain belief in the salvation brought by Christ and the Holy Spirit? John Paul II (pope 1978-2005) responded by emphasizing the universal presence and activity of the Holy Spirit, who did not appear in the key conciliar text, Nostra aetate. In doing that the Pope maintained a 'balancing act' by recognizing the treasures communicated through the Spirit to the cultures and religions of the world and by maintaining faith in Christ as the Lord and Life of all people. In all this the late Pope showed himself to be an outstanding role model.