He added that the Pope’s call for “the laying down of arms and the renunciation of violence” had “resonated profoundly,” describing it as consistent with the teachings of major world religions.

“Whether we look to Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or any of the world's great spiritual traditions, the message is fundamentally the same: love, compassion, tolerance, and self-discipline,” the Dalai Lama said. “Violence finds no true home in any of these teachings.”

The statement comes as conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine continue, with limited signs of near-term diplomatic resolution.

“History has shown us time and again that violence only begets more violence and is never a lasting foundation for peace,” he said.

The Dalai Lama called for efforts to resolve conflicts through non-violent means, saying: “An enduring resolution to conflict, including the ones we see in the Middle East or between Russia and Ukraine, must be rooted in dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect.”

He added that such efforts should be “approached with the understanding that, at the deepest level, we are all brothers and sisters.”

Pope Leo XIV — the first American pontiff — said in his Palm Sunday homily at St. Peter’s Square that “Jesus does not listen to prayers of those who wage war, adding that the Lord “always rejects violence.”

In his message, the Dalai Lama said a prayer for an end to ongoing conflicts : 

“I urge for and pray that the violence and conflicts may soon come to an end.”

A produced by The World in Maps categorises these nations by their official or constitutionally endorsed faiths — Christianity (in red), Islam (in green), and Buddhism (in dark grey) — pointing to the enduring complexity of how states and religions interact globally.

What a “state religion” means and how it varies

A state religion (also called an official or established religion) is one that a government formally endorses or gives special status, privileges, or constitutional recognition. But this does not necessarily mean the state is a theocracy or that it compels all citizens to follow that faith.

In many nations, religious freedom still exists, albeit within a framework where the “official” religion enjoys preferential treatment , whether in funding, influence over ceremonial functions, or constitutional prominence.

This landscape is diverse in practice. Some states explicitly define their religion in their constitutions, others make public references, or provide institutional support.

For instance, Jordan’s constitution states that “Islam is the religion of the State” while still permitting other faiths to be practised.

Malaysia’s federal constitution similarly affirms Islam as the religion of the federation, though it allows other religions to be practised peacefully.

Where state religions persist, and which ones

The map shows a concentration of state religions in parts of the Middle East, Southeast Asia , and parts of Europe and Africa.

Islamic state religions are particularly frequent: countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Jordan, Kuwait, and others have Islam as the constitutionally recognised religion.

In the sphere of Buddhism, a few nations (such as Bhutan and Cambodia) declare Buddhist identity in their constitutions as a “spiritual heritage” or state faith.

In Europe, some countries maintain established Christian churches (e.g. the Church of Denmark), though the practical role of these churches varies, and secularisation trends are strong.

It’s also worth noting that many more countries, beyond those with formal state religions, still favour one religion through policy, funding or cultural entanglement. According to Pew , over 80 nations give official or unofficial advantages to particular faiths.

Groups that fail to comply risk penalties, suspension of credentials, and possible criminal investigation. They are also required to align religious doctrine with state ideology under the principle of “Sinicisation.”

“Religious clergy engaging in online activities should love the motherland, support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, uphold the socialist system, follow national laws and regulations, and adhere to relevant provisions on managing religious affairs,” according to Article 2 of the rules translated to English by religious rights magazine Bitter Winter .

Further provisions tighten political control: Article 7 states that organisations are banned from publishing content that “incites subversion of state power, opposes the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, [and] undermines the socialist system.”

The measures also restrict where preaching can take place. Article 5 limits online religious activity to official websites, apps, forums and platforms that have secured an Internet Religious Information Services Licence. Personal social media accounts, livestreams and private groups are explicitly forbidden.

According to Bitter Winter, the rules also extend to youth activities. 

“Clergy may not evangelize to underage users or organize youth religious camps or training,” it reported. The same provision bans attempts to commercialise religious life, including fundraising, merchandise sales, or monetising online religious activities.

Technology is not exempt. Generative artificial intelligence cannot be used to produce or disseminate religious content.

National security is a key theme underpinning the new rules, with provisions forbidding foreign “religious infiltration,” extremist teachings, and even fortune-telling or astrology. 

The rules also restrict worship itself, outlawing livestreamed sermons, online rituals, and even meditation sessions unless conducted on state-approved platforms.

Beijing formally recognises five faiths: Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Taoism. 

Controls across these beliefs are stern, with activities such as proselytising and Sunday schools facing bans. Groups outside the recognised framework, including Falun Gong, remain outlawed.

Under Xi Jinping, enforcement of these rules has hardened. Rights groups say more than a million Uyghurs have been detained in camps in Xinjiang, accusations China rejects as “counter-terrorism” measures. 

Christians worshipping in unauthorised “house churches” and underground Catholic clergy have also faced arrests, keeping China high on global rankings for religious restrictions.

Yet, the Buddhist population seems to be catching up quickly. The religion boasts a global population of about 500 million followers and it's the fourth largest religion in the world.

China ranks number 1 in total number of Buddhists — over 254 million — which represents only 18.3% of its population. This is due to China’s vast population base and the presence of many other religious and philosophical traditions, including Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.

Nonetheless, China is home to a rich history of Mahayana Buddhism, which deeply influences its temples, art , and monastic practices.

In contrast, Thailand (66.1 million, 92.6%) and Cambodia (15.7 million, 96.8%) rank as the most intensely Buddhist societies in the world by proportion.

In these nations, Theravāda Buddhism is not just a religion — it's a central part of national identity, education, and daily life. Monastic life remains highly respected, and many young men enter monasteries temporarily as a rite of passage.

Japan (41.4 million Buddhists) and South Korea (10.9 million) reflect a more syncretic approach. In both countries, Buddhism coexists with Shintoism (in Japan) and Christianity (in Korea). Many individuals participate in Buddhist rituals while identifying culturally rather than exclusively religiously.

Though Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BCE, it now accounts for just 0.7% of India’s population. Still, India remains spiritually significant, home to sacred pilgrimage sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar. The modern resurgence of Buddhism in India has been driven in part by the Dalit Buddhist movement, influenced by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

According to the 2020 U.S. Religion Census , Islam ranks as the second largest religion in the majority of states, including California, Texas, New York, and Florida, reflecting the growth of Muslim communities in both urban and suburban areas.

Judaism claims the second spot in several key states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland, thanks to historically strong Jewish communities, especially in the Northeast.

Buddhism emerges as the second-largest religion in states like Montana, Idaho, and New Mexico , where immigration and refugee resettlement programs have contributed to vibrant Buddhist communities.

Hinduism holds the second position in Delaware, while the Bahá’í faith is the second largest in South Dakota—an interesting reflection of the smaller, but committed, religious minorities in those states.

The 2020 Religion Census compiled data from denominational reports, surveys, and community records, making it one of the most comprehensive religion surveys in the U.S. The patterns it reveals underscore the interplay of immigration, cultural heritage, and socio-economic dynamics in shaping America ’s religious makeup.

For example: