Vatican city, Nov 7 (IANS/AKI): The head of the Vaticans' interfaith dialogue body has sent Hindus around the world a goodwill message on Diwali.

"May your celebrations across the globe lead you to an experience of happiness and harmony in your families and communities," said the message from Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, urging Hindus to work with Christians for sustainable development.

"If peace is to prevail in the world, we must, together and as individuals, consciously give our ourselves to protecting nature, defending the poor, and building networks of respect and fraternity," said the message, quoting Pope Francis' recent teaching letter on the environment.

States have a responsibility to instil in citizens a sound understanding of ecology and its connection to humankind's future and that of planet, the message said.

"May we Hindus and Christians, together with people of all religious traditions and good will, always foster a culture which promotes human ecology," the message stressed.

Tauran is the president of the pontifical council for inter-religious dialogue.

This year Diwali, the festival of lights, will be celebrated on November 11.