Pope Francis (right) and the members of the independent judging committee discuss global issues during a meeting.

Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, urged the advancement of human fraternity in all places and in all fields as a response to pressing global challenges, during a meeting with the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2024 judging committee at the Vatican on Monday.

Pope Francis encouraged the judging committee members — who collectively represent Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America — to further the values of human fraternity, both through the award and through their respective fields.

An honorary recipient of the award, Pope Francis said: “Human fraternity is imperative for our contemporary world, especially in the midst of ongoing conflicts. In wars, everyone loses, and it is the innocent who pay the price.” The Pope further urged the judging committee members to persist in promoting the values of human fraternity within their respective fields and domains.

For their part, the judging committee members expressed their gratitude to Pope Francis for His Holiness’ promotion of human fraternity values - including solidarity, environmental protection, and equality - through his pontificate.

They commended Pope Francis, as well as Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, for coming together in 2019 to sign the historic Document on Human Fraternity, and affirmed that the values outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity serve as a compass in their selection process of the 2024 honoree(s).

Former president of Indonesia Megawati Sukarnoputri shakes hands with Pope Francis.

The members of the independent judging committee are former president of Indonesia Megawati Sukarnoputri; Prefect Emeritus of the Holy See Dicastery for Oriental Churches His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri; Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis; U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Chair Rabbi Abraham Cooper; former Director-General of UNESCO and former Bulgarian minister Irina Bokova; and Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam.

On behalf of the committee, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said: “Ahead of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar signing the historic Document on Human Fraternity, we truly appreciate today’s meeting and inspiring conversation with Pope Francis, who has strengthened our resolve to carry out the values of human fraternity in our work together and apart.”

Megawati Sukarnoputri said: “It was an honor to meet with His Holiness Pope Francis today and discuss not only common concerns for the state of humanity, but also how we as a judging committee can contribute to addressing them.”

Cardinal Sandri said: “Following our discussion with His Holiness Pope Francis, as a judging committee we are reminded of our shared responsibility to recognise individuals and entities who are spreading the values outlined in the historic Document on Human Fraternity.”

Rabbi Abraham Cooper said: “The meeting with Pope Francis is a source of motivation in forging ahead with our efforts as a judging committee to select an awardee whose commitment to better humankind will inspire people the world over.”

This photo shows the members of the independent judging committee during a group photo with Pope Francis.

Irina Bokova said: “I am pleased that the members of the judging committee share a common approach and understanding of the values of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which aims to honor everyday heroes of human fraternity, compassion, and empathy, while also inspiring others to follow in their footsteps toward a more peaceful world.”

During their time in Rome, the 2024 judging committee will continue reviewing nominations to select the 2024 award honoree(s) - to be announced in February, in tandem with the UN-recognized International Day of Human Fraternity.

The award — which includes a $1 million prize — was established in 2019 following the signing of the historic Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Since the award’s inception humanitarian organizations, activists, and leaders from around the world have been honored including: Pope Francis (honorary recipient); the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb (honorary recipient); UN Secretary-General António Guterres; activist against extremism Latifa Ibn Ziaten; His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Haitian humanitarian organization the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL); the Community of Sant’Egidio organisation; and Kenyan peacebuilder Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil.

WAM