On Saturday, October 18, a Gala Ceremony of the Vatican St. John Paul II Award – “Premio San Giovanni Paolo II,” granted by our Foundation, took place at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.
You can view the full photo gallery from the event.
A day earlier, Archbishop Jacques Mourad met with journalists – an encounter previously reported on our website.
Photos from the press conference are available here, and a video report can be viewed on the EWTN channel.
The 2025 Laureate
Archbishop Jacques Mourad was born in Aleppo in 1968.
He completed his priestly formation in Lebanon, earning academic degrees in philosophy, theology, and liturgy.
In 1993, he was ordained a priest of the Syriac Catholic Church.
As a young man, he joined the monastic community of Deir Mar Musa, founded by Fr. Paolo Dall’Oglio, SJ, a renowned promoter of Christian–Muslim dialogue.
In the following years, he served in Syria, Iraq, and Italy, offering spiritual support and working tirelessly for reconciliation and interreligious cooperation.
In 2015, he was kidnapped by jihadists of the so-called Islamic State and held captive for several months under inhumane conditions.
Tortured and pressured to renounce his faith, he even endured a mock execution.
He was eventually freed thanks to the courage of local Muslims who risked their own lives to help him escape.
After his release, he continued his pastoral ministry among Christian communities 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 Middle East and fostering dialogue, peace, and reconciliation.
According to the Award Committee, the 2025 St. John Paul II Award was granted to Archbishop Mourad for
“his testimony of faith, courage, and hope – forged in the fire of suffering and yet filled with love for God and humanity.”
Participants in the Ceremony
Among those present at the event were:
-
Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik, President of our Foundation
-
Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and President of the Award Committee
-
Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls
-
Prof. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, who introduced the laureate
-
Members of the Award Committee
-
Members of the Board of the Vatican John Paul II Foundation
