Professor Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) in Birmingham, was among a Sikh delegation who attended an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

Dialogue between faiths

Prof Mohinder Singh spoke of the importance of dialogue between people of different faiths. He said  the meeting was “a deeply spiritual moment”.

Those present at the meeting, representing a range of non-Catholic Churches and other religions, had attended the Pope’s inauguration Mass the previous day.

Among the guests were Prince Edward, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Peace charter

Following the Mass, Professor Singh presented the inter-faith Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation, external to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and offered prayers for peace in his country.

Professor Singh said he believed the new Pope would continue the example set by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in being a symbol of hope and peace.

Professor Mohinder Singh

It was the third time Professor Singh has had an audience with a Pope. 

Professor Singh was the first Sikh in history to receive the pontifical order of knighthood for his service to interfaith relations.

Pope Leo praised the work made by his predecessor towards interreligious dialogue and spoke of a “common path” involving everyone “in a spirit of human fraternity”.

Professor Singh said: “As per our own scripture, our Sikh scripture, all humans are sparks of the divine  humanity being one global family. We need to have interfaith cooperation and collaboration – that is almost essential.”