Dr. Ahmad At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, mourns the passing of his brother in humanity, His Holiness Pope Francis, the Pope of the Catholic Church, who passed away today, Monday, after a life devoted to serving humanity, advocating for the oppressed, and supporting interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
The Grand Imam affirms that Pope Francis was an exceptional symbol of humanitarianism, who spared no effort in championing the cause of human dignity. Under his papacy, the relationship between Al-Azhar and the Vatican witnessed remarkable development, beginning with his historic participation in the Al-Azhar International Conference for Peace in 2017, and culminating in the cosigning of the landmark Document on Human Fraternity in 2019.
This pivotal document, which could not have come into being without sincere intention and perseverance amid challenges, paved the way for further dialogue and joint initiatives that have significantly expanded in recent years and strengthened Muslim-Christian relations.
The Grand Imam also recalls Pope Francis’s unwavering commitment to building bridges with Al-Azhar and the wider Muslim world, through his visits to various Muslim and Arab countries, and through his courageous and fair positions, particularly in denouncing the aggression on Gaza and confronting the scourge of Islamophobia.
Al-Azhar extends its heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the followers of the Catholic Church worldwide and to the family of His Holiness the late Pope Francis, praying for patience and comfort during this difficult time.
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