Muslim Council of Elders participates in inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV

VATICAN CITY, 19th May 2025 (WAM) -- The Muslim Council of Elders participated in the inauguration of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as Head of the Catholic Church, which took place on Sunday in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.

The Muslim Council of Elders, including its chairman His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and other council members, has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his inauguration as head of the Catholic Church. 

The Council commends the Pope’s commitment to advancing interfaith dialogue and fostering fraternity and coexistence, as demonstrated during his meeting with the Council’s Secretary-General, which was the first Islamic delegation received following his election, and in a recent phone call with His Eminence Grand Imam. 

During their conversation, the two global religious leaders affirmed their shared dedication to promoting peace, supporting the rights of the marginalised, and addressing global challenges.

The inauguration mass, held in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, marked the succession of the late Pope Francis, whose legacy includes the historic 2019 Document on Human Fraternity, which was co-signed in Abu Dhabi. The landmark document, a cornerstone of modern interfaith efforts, advocates for dialogue, tolerance, and human fraternity across diverse communities