His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, has received the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026 judging committee in Vatican City to discuss the urgent need for concrete action to promote human fraternity and the award’s leading efforts to demonstrate that every human being and every religion is called to promote fraternity.
His Holiness recalled the launch of the award following the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by the late His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and which was supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Pope Leo XIV explained the award embodies the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his joy to be with the committee members “who place their talents, vision and moral convictions at the noble service of human fraternity.”
The independent judging committee of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity – an international annual prize recognising individuals and organisations working selflessly and tirelessly to advance human fraternity and create breakthroughs towards peaceful coexistence - meets annually in Rome, as part of the annual tradition whereby the committee holds its meetings in one or more cities around the world.
The 2026 judging committee includes former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel; former Chairperson of the African Union Commission and former Prime Minister of Chad Moussa Faki Mahamat; Executive Director of UNICEF Catherine Russell; Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva; Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education at the Holy See Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça; and Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam.
Following the meeting, His Excellency Judge Abdelsalam said: “Since the beginning of his pontificate, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has pledged his support for the message of human fraternity. During our meeting today, His Holiness renewed this commitment, reaffirming our shared conviction that the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has become an influential global platform in the service of humanity—and an enduring reminder of our collective capacity to build a better world.
“We were deeply honoured by the encouragement His Holiness expressed to continue serving humanity through good works, strengthening fraternity among people, and confronting hatred at a time when humanity is facing profound challenges.”
Catherine Russell said: “Our meeting today with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed priorities we hold dear as a judging committee: protecting the most vulnerable, particularly children, and building bridges in a divided world.”
His Eminence Cardinal Tolentino said: “Today’s meeting represents the collaborative and interfaith spirit of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and the Holy See’s dedication to advancing the values outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity, Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti, and Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic exhortation Dilexi te.”
His Excellency Charles Michel said: “During our meeting with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the importance of upholding peaceful coexistence and mutual respect — the core principles of human fraternity — was strongly reaffirmed. At a time marked by growing tensions, uncertainty, and deepening divisions across the world, these values stand as an essential compass to guide our collective efforts towards mutual understanding and peace.”
His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat said: “It was a privilege to meet with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for a discussion that reaffirmed our shared commitment for peace, justice, human dignity, and interreligious dialogue and solidarity - in Europe, Africa, and around the globe.”
Her Excellency Saida Mirziyoyeva said: “Our discussion with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV today was a renewal of faith in a brighter future where each person is a valued member in the greater human family - where every child is protected, every woman empowered, and every community uplifted through compassion.”
Following the visit with Pope Leo XIV, the judging committee held in-person meetings in Rome, reviewing nominations for the award’s seventh edition and selecting the 2026 honouree(s).
The chosen recipient(s) will receive a financial prize of US$1 million and will be honoured at an award ceremony in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2026, which coincides with the UN-recognised International Day of Human Fraternity and the anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity.
The award has so far recognised 16 recipients from 15 countries since its establishment in 2019, following the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between the late His Holiness Pope Francis, 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, during which the two religious figures co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity.
The award’s judging committee met Tuesday in Cairo with His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, as part of its official programme in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The visit included a series of in-person meetings to review nominations for the award’s seventh edition, as well as a number of events and field visits, including to Al-Azhar Mosque, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and several other religious and cultural institutions in Cairo.
