The Muslim Council of Elders Participates in a Global Event in Rome to Commemorate the Late Pope Francis
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam: Pope Francis Will Remain a Global Symbol of Human Fraternity and Peace
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam: The Grand Imam and Pope Francis Restored the Radiance of the Human Conscience in an Age of Waning Values and Growing Conflicts
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam: We Will Continue the Journey of Human Fraternity Begun by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis to Advance Global Peace and Foster Human Coexistence
The Muslim Council of Elders took part in a global event held in Rome to commemorate the late His Holiness Pope Francis, former Head of the Catholic Church. The gathering brought together several religious and diplomatic leaders and representatives of international organizations and the Vatican.
In his address, His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam expressed his deep appreciation for the late Pope Francis, describing him as an exceptional spiritual leader who changed the course of modern history. Together with his brother, His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, Pope Francis helped restore the radiance of the human conscience in an age when moral values had declined and conflicts had multiplied.
His Excellency Judge Abdelsalam praised Pope Francis as a rare symbol of moral courage and a sincere voice for ordinary people—a true advocate for human dignity regardless of religion, race, or color. He affirmed that the Pope will forever remain a model of humility, a leader close to the people, and a steadfast defender of mercy, justice, and human dignity.
Speaking about his personal relationship with the late pontiff, Judge Abdelsalam recalled Pope Francis as a spiritual father and a calm voice of wisdom amid the clamor of wars and conflicts. He recounted witnessing the historic encounter between Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar at the Vatican in 2015—a meeting that gave birth to the idea of the Document on Human Fraternity, later signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
He went on to note that Pope Francis, the Grand Imam, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, believed their duty did not end with the signing of this historic document. Rather, it began with a shared commitment to partnership and to serving humanity, regardless of faith or nationality. Today, he said, the document stands as a source of inspiration for the world. The date of its signing is now celebrated as the International Day of Human Fraternity, and numerous initiatives have emerged from it—foremost among them the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, whose inaugural edition honored the Grand Imam and Pope Francis for their joint efforts to promote global peace.
In conclusion, Judge Abdelsalam reaffirmed that the Muslim Council of Elders—working in cooperation with Al-Azhar, the Catholic Church, and other partners—will continue the journey of human fraternity begun by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis. He emphasized the Council’s commitment to translating the document’s principles into tangible realities through education, media, and public policy. “Our message is one,” he said. “To build bridges, not walls; to safeguard human dignity above all else—drawing inspiration from the words of Almighty God in the Holy Qur’an: ‘O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another’ (The Qur’an, 49: 13), and from the words of Jesus Christ in the Gospel: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).’”
