May 9, 2003
Source: Beliefnet
http://www.Beliefnet.com/frameset.asp?boardID=58174&pageloc=/story/126/story_12652_1.html
On May 9, 2003 Beliefnet reported that "the Vatican invited Buddhists on Friday (May 9) to join Christians in prayer for peace at a time of 'bloodshed, violence, confrontation and crisis' in the world... Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, the new president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, issued the invitation in a warm message marking the Festival of Vesakh, which Buddhists will celebrate Wednesday (May 14). Vesakh, Buddhism's most important festival, marks the major events in the life of Buddha."