VIDEO MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE DOCUMENT ON HUMAN FRATERNITY FOR WORLD PEACE AND LIVING TOGETHER

I greet all of you present, and I greet especially all the people in humanity who
help their poor, sick, persecuted, and weak brothers and sisters, regardless of
religion, color, or race.
A year ago, my brother, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Aḥmad al-Tayyib, and I
signed a document on human fraternity in the capital of the United Arab
Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Today we celebrate the first anniversary of this great
humanitarian event, as we hope for a better future for humanity, a future free
from hatred, rancor, extremism, and terrorism, in which the values of peace,
love and fraternity prevail.
Today, on this first anniversary, I express my appreciation for the support offered
by the United Arab Emirates for the work of the Higher Committee for Human
Fraternity. I thank you for the initiative led by the Abrahamic House, and for the
presentation of the Human Fraternity Award.
I am therefore pleased to be able to participate in the presentation to the world
of the International Human Fraternity Award, in hopes of encouraging all
virtuous exemplars of men and women who in this world embody love through
actions and sacrifices made for the good of others, no matter how different they
may be in religion, or ethnic and cultural affiliation. And I ask Almighty God to
bless every effort that benefits the good of humanity and helps us to move
forward in fraternity. Thank you.