Egypt’s Mufti: Pope Francis dedicated his life to peace, interfaith rapprochement

Dr. Nazir Mohammad Ayyad, the Grand Mufti of Egypt and President of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Pope of the Vatican, who has died at the age of 88.

The Grand Mufti praised Pope Francis’s remarkable life journey, characterized by profound humanitarian influence and tireless dedication to fostering understanding and rapprochement between peoples and religions.

The Grand Mufti affirmed that Pope Francis was among the global religious figures who devoted their lives to consolidating a culture of peace, enhancing values of understanding and tolerance, and building bridges of love among followers of different faiths through earnest and responsible dialogue. Pope Francis was also a persistent voice advocating for human dignity and social justice in various international forums, leaving behind a legacy that will forever remain in humanity’s collective conscience.

The Grand Mufti extends his deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family of the late Pope and to the global Catholic Church, expressing hope that sincere efforts will continue toward building a world guided by peace, mercy, and mutual understanding among peoples.