Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh, Spiritual Leader and Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), and one of the world’s greatly respected interfaith and peacebuilding leaders, was honoured to be invited by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue to participate in the Mass of Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, 18th May 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

Following the Mass, Bhai Sahib Prof. Mohinder Singh had the honour of personally meeting several world leaders and dignitaries. He presented a copy of the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation to the Pope and discussed their common goal of promoting world peace and harmony.

Bhai Sahib also presented the Peace Charter to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, expressing solidarity and prayers for peace and healing in his country. He also shared the Peace Charter with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and discussed its relevance to peacebuilding.

Bhai Sahib also met His Royal Highness Prince Edward, representing His Majesty King Charles III, and spoke about the urgent need for moral leadership and collective forgiveness in global conflict resolution. Reflecting on the occasion, Bhai Sahib Ji said: “To witness the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV was a deeply spiritual moment – a sacred invitation to renew our shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and reconciliation.

“His Holiness walks with humility, courage, and moral clarity, following the luminous path of Pope Francis.” Today, Bhai Sahib Prof. Mohinder Singh was received at a special interfaith audience with the Holy Father, alongside global representatives of Churches, Ecclesial Communities, and religious traditions.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the 267th head of the Roman Catholic Church and the first American-born Pope. In his inaugural homily, he appealed to the conscience of humanity to rise above division and conflict and establish peace. With courage and compassion, he called for unity in action to bring an end to the violence in Ukraine, Gaza, and all regions suffering from unrest and injustice. 

“Let us stand together,” he declared, “as people of goodwill, for a world free of vengeance, fear, and despair.” Speaking after today’s interfaith audience, Bhai Sahib Ji added: “It was a privilege and blessing to be received by His Holiness.

“I humbly requested his continued support and blessing for the Peace Charter, so that this message of healing, justice, and compassion reaches every corner of the globe.” The Peace Charter, first presented to Pope Francis in 2018, draws inspiration from the lives and teachings of Jesus Christ, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr.

It teaches that: “Forgiveness is an unwavering refusal to let painful experiences destroy us.” Bhai Sahib also had the honour and privilege of meeting and presenting the Peace Charter to the Archbishop of York, the Right Honourable Stephen Geoffrey Cottrel and to the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Right Honourable David Lammy MP.

He also met and extended warm congratulations to the new Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, sharing with him the universal message of the Charter. Additionally, Bhai Sahib was pleased to meet Cardinal George Koovakad from India and expressed his heartfelt prayers for peace and harmony across South Asia and the wider world.

From Rome, Bhai Sahib offers this prayer: “Let us become instruments of peace – healing wounds, serving others, and building bridges of love across all faiths and nations.

“May this be our shared sacred purpose, for the unity and wellbeing of all humanity (Sarbat da Bhalla)!” Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh is the Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a faith-based charitable organisation headquartered in Birmingham, UK, with global outreach across education, health, civic engagement and interfaith work.

In recognition of his tireless efforts to promote peace, reconciliation and interreligious harmony, Bhai Sahib Ji was awarded the Pontifical Order of Knighthood of St Gregory the Great (KSG) by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 – becoming the first Sikh in history to receive this honour. Bhai Sahib Ji received the Papal knighthood with humility, dedicating it to the Guru’s message of selfless service and unity among all humanity.