Al Azhar Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al Tayyeb lamented the death of Pope Francis, commending his life’s work for peace, humanity, and interfaith harmony. In a moving eulogy, Al Tayyeb referred to the Pope as a “brother and companion on the path of human fraternity.”
The two religious leaders had enjoyed an outstanding relationship, punctuated by their historic meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2019, where they signed the Document on Human Fraternity — a milestone in contemporary interreligious cooperation. Al Tayyeb termed this document a cornerstone on which future generations will build bridges between faiths.
Al Tayyeb’s message highlighted Pope Francis’s unrelenting efforts to unite people of various faiths in an atmosphere of respect for one another, compassion, and coexistence. He pointed out the Pope’s impact not only within the Catholic world but as a world spiritual leader who preaches justice and mercy.
Expressing condolences to the Vatican and Catholics around the globe, Al Tayyeb reiterated Al Azhar’s commitment to upholding the Pope’s legacy of harmony and mutual understanding. He ended by praying that peace should reign among all nations, a mission he and Pope Francis worked assiduously toward.
