Brussels – Syrian Bishop Jacques Mourad, Metropolitan of Homs for the Syriac Catholic Church, received the John Paul II Award during a ceremony held at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, recognizing his lifelong commitment to peace, reconciliation, and interfaith dialogue.
The Vatican said the award was granted to Mourad “for his dedication to serving peace and coexistence,” noting that he had endured kidnapping and torture by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in 2015. The award was presented by Father Paweł Ptasznik, president of the John Paul II Foundation, which annually honours individuals embodying the late pope’s vision of faith, dialogue, and service.
In his acceptance speech, Bishop Mourad said that “dialogue between religions and cultures is not an option, but a vital necessity in our war-torn country.” He added that the recognition represents a tribute to the entire Syrian Church, “which has carried a noble struggle through years of hardship.”
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Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, praised Mourad’s “life of service and witness to faith and love.” The ceremony was attended by several church leaders and diplomats, including the apostolic nuncio to Syria and former Polish prime minister Hanna Suchocka.
The Vatican emphasized that honouring Bishop Mourad is also a tribute to the Syrian Church’s role as “a messenger of peace and coexistence” amid years of conflict.
