المطران مراد يحصد جائزة يوحنا بولس الثاني تقديراً لـ “شهادته في الإيمان والشجاعة والرجاء”

The laureate of this year’s edition of the Saint John Paul II Award, presented by our Foundation, has already arrived in Rome. During tomorrow’s “Premio San Giovanni Paolo II” Gala, held at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, Archbishop Mourad will receive the award from Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and President of the Award Jury.

Earlier today, a press meeting with Archbishop Mourad took place at the Roman headquarters of the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate Of Antioch, located at the Chiesa di Santa Maria in campo Marzioكنيسة العذراء في كامبو مارسيو. In addition to the “Premio San Giovanni Paolo II” laureate, the following distinguished guests were present:

Rev. Msgr. Archbishop Flaviano Rami Al-Kabalan – Apostolic Visitor for the Syriac faithful in Western Europe and Procurator of the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Syriacs to the Holy See,

Rev. Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik – President of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, which awards the “Premio” on behalf of the Holy See.

This year’s laureate, Archbishop Jacques Mourad, was born in Aleppo in 1968. He received his seminary formation in Lebanon, where he earned academic degrees in philosophy, theology, and liturgy. In 1993, he was ordained a priest of the Syriac Catholic Church. In his youth, he joined the monastic community of Deir Mar Musa, founded by Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, SJ, and known for its work promoting Christian–Muslim dialogue. Over the following years, he served in Syria, Iraq, and Italy, ministering to the faithful and promoting reconciliation and interreligious cooperation.

In 2015, he was kidnapped by jihadists from the Islamic State and held captive for several months in inhuman conditions. Tortured and pressured to renounce his faith, he even faced a mock execution. He was eventually freed thanks to the courage and help of local Muslims who risked their lives to enable his escape. After his release, Archbishop Mourad continued his pastoral ministry among Christians in war-torn regions. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Homs, Hama, and Nabk, entrusting him with the mission of accompanying Christian communities in the heart of the Middle East and building paths of dialogue, peace, and reconciliation.

As stated in the jury’s citation, the “Premio San Giovanni Paolo II 2025” is awarded to Archbishop Mourad for his “testimony of faith, courage, and hope, forged in the fire of suffering yet filled with love for God and humanity.”

Among those attending the award ceremony, which will take place tomorrow at the Apostolic Palace, are the following distinguished guests:

Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik, President of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation,

Card. Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and President of the Award Jury,

Card. James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls Abbazia di San Paolo fuori le Mura,

Prof. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, who will present the profile of the laureate,

Members of the Award Jury,

Members of the Administrative Council of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation,

Representatives of the Syriac Catholic Church,

Representatives of the Vatican Dicasteries,

Ambassadors to the Holy See.

Following the official presentation of the award, Archbishop Jacques Mourad will deliver a special address to the participants. The event will conclude with a gathering at the Pontifical Teutonic College in the Vatican Campo Santo Teutonico, offering an opportunity to congratulate the laureate and reflect on the message of St. #JohnPaulII for today’s world.

The “Premio San Giovanni Paolo II” was established by the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, founded by papal decree on October 16, 1981. The Foundation is an ecclesiastical institution whose mission is to preserve and promote the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural heritage of the Polish Pope. The purpose of the award is to recognize those who, inspired by the teaching of St. John Paul II, contribute to promoting human dignity, interreligious dialogue, the new evangelization, the culture of life, and the civilization of love.

The Award Jury consists of 13 distinguished members representing various continents and fields of academia, culture, and the Church. As the organizers emphasize, the Premio San Giovanni Paolo II is not only a recognition of past achievements but also a call to continue the mission of the Saint in today’s world — in a spirit of courage, faith, and openness to others.

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© John Paul II Vatican Foundation | Grzegorz Gałązka