VATICAN CITY: The Muslim Council of Elders took part in the formal inauguration of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as Head of the Catholic Church on Sunday in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City. The council’s delegation was led by His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, alongside senior members.
The Council offered warm congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his new spiritual role and highlighted his positive stance on interfaith collaboration. The Pope recently received the Council’s Secretary-General as his first official Islamic delegation and also engaged in a personal call with the Grand Imam. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to fostering peace, defending vulnerable communities, and tackling pressing global issues through unity.
The inauguration ceremony marked the beginning of a new papal chapter following the passing of Pope Francis. His legacy includes the influential 2019 Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed in Abu Dhabi by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis. This pivotal agreement remains central to ongoing efforts in interfaith dialogue, harmony, and mutual respect.
By participating in the Vatican ceremony, the Muslim Council of Elders reaffirmed its support for global religious cooperation and highlighted the importance of shared values in addressing today’s challenges.
