Ataul Wasih Tariq, Missionary-In-Charge Jamaat Italy
On 18 May 2025, my humble self participated in the official inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, held at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Representing the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I was among the select interreligious delegates invited by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. This invitation reflected the long-standing engagement between the Catholic Church and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Italy – a relationship rooted in the shared pursuit of peace, justice, and moral leadership.
The Holy Mass was attended by heads of state, members of royalty, diplomats, and religious leaders. Gospel readings focused on the legacy of Simon Peter, while Pope Leo XIV, in his homily, underscored humility and the spiritual responsibility of leadership, saying he had been “chosen without merit” and accepted his mission “with fear and trembling”.
Following the mass, a formal luncheon was hosted in the Paul VI Audience Hall, bringing together the interfaith delegation with members of the diplomatic corps and government officials. While this event did not include a direct audience with the pope, it offered an atmosphere of respectful exchange and representation.
On Monday, 19 May 2025, a private audience was held for leaders and representatives of world religions. On this occasion, my humble self conveyed a letter addressed to Pope Leo XIV from the worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa. The letter extended greetings of peace and urged His Holiness to use his esteemed position and global moral influence to raise awareness regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the widespread suffering caused by ongoing wars around the world.
My humble self also took the opportunity to recall the longstanding relationship between the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and the Catholic Church in Italy, particularly the positive engagement with Pope Francis, who had previously met with Ahmadi representatives and expressed deep appreciation for the Jamaat’s slogan, “Love for All, Hatred for None.” Pope Francis had also graciously accepted an invitation to visit the Ahmadiyya mosque, a visit that remained pending due to health and scheduling constraints. With that spirit of continuity, an invitation was once again extended to Pope Leo XIV, expressing the Community’s desire to further strengthen interfaith relations and to begin where the dialogue had been left with his predecessor.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat believes that faith leaders have a crucial role to play in breaking the silence on injustice and advocating for peace rooted in righteousness and prayer. Participation in such global interreligious settings is part of the Jamaat’s consistent efforts to foster understanding, speak for the oppressed, and uphold the principle: Love for All, Hatred for None.