New Delhi (30 October 2025): Pope Leo XIV has been awarded the International Jurists Peace Prize 2025 in recognition of his exceptional efforts to foster peace, justice, interfaith harmony, and human dignity across the world. The prestigious honour was presented by Dr. Adish C. Aggarwala, President of the International Council of Jurists (ICJ), London.
In the absence of the Holy Father, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, accepted the award on his behalf at a solemn ceremony in New Delhi. The event brought together an eminent gathering of jurists, diplomats, and dignitaries, including Dr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, former Chief Justice of India; Justice Virender Singh, former Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court; and K.D. Singh, former Secretary, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice.
A Tribute to Moral Leadership and Universal Compassion
Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Adish C. Aggarwala described Pope Leo XIV as “a beacon of moral clarity and conscience for humanity,” lauding his lifelong commitment to peace and justice. Through his message and mission, the Pope continues to remind the world that true justice must always be tempered with mercy, and that compassion remains the strongest bridge between divided hearts, he said.
Dr. Aggarwala further emphasized that the ICJ’s decision to host the award ceremony in India was symbolic. India stands as a living example of unity in diversity — a secular nation that embraces every faith, he remarked. He added that Christianity found its way to India centuries before it spread to many parts of the world, making the country a fitting venue for an award that celebrates interreligious harmony.
“In honouring Pope Leo XIV,” Dr. Aggarwala said, we celebrate not only a global spiritual leader but also the enduring truth that peace is the highest expression of justice, and compassion its soul.
Pope’s Message: Peace, Justice, and Truth Must Guide Humanity
Accepting the award on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli conveyed the Holy Father’s “deep gratitude” for the recognition, describing it as a tribute to the collective yearning of humankind for peace and fraternity.
He praised the ICJ for upholding the rule of law and human rights, adding that the Peace Prize recognized the Pope’s unwavering call to foster dialogue, protect human dignity, advance reconciliation, and work for justice and peace. Recalling the Holy Father’s recent address to the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Girelli said, The three guiding lights for humanity today must be Peace, Justice, and Truth — for only through these can we build a world of harmony and sustainable coexistence.
Eminent Jurists Praise the Pope’s Vision
Speaking at the event, Dr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan praised Pope Leo XIV’s life as a testament to the transformative power of compassion and conscience. He described the Pope as a moral voice that transcends religious and cultural boundaries, offering hope and reconciliation in a time marred by division.
Echoing similar sentiments, Justice Virender Singh called the Pope a luminous figure whose life inspires humanity to rediscover its shared ethical foundation. He noted that law, when guided by compassion, becomes not just a system of order but an instrument of lasting peace.
K.D. Singh, former Secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice, remarked that the rule of law attains its truest purpose when it reflects the moral conscience of humanity. He added that the Pope’s message urges the world to replace conflict with dialogue, division with understanding, and indifference with empathy.
A Global Symbol of Hope
The International Jurists Peace Prize has previously been bestowed upon world leaders, legal luminaries, and human rights defenders who have made notable contributions to the cause of peace and justice. This year’s award to Pope Leo XIV underscores his continuing influence as a global moral voice, advocating for compassion, fraternity, and human dignity in an increasingly polarized world. The ceremony concluded with a collective message of solidarity and hope — reaffirming the shared belief that peace and justice are inseparable pillars of a civilized and humane global order.
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