Pope Francis blesses the Human Fraternity Foundation and its projects in Egypt

His Holiness Pope Francis receives Monsignor Dr. Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, President of the Human Fraternity Foundation, expresses his full support for the Foundation and its charitable projects and its activities in spreading the principles of the Human Fraternity Document through charitable projects that serve everyone.

The Pope thanks President Al Sisi for his support of the Foundation. Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi: Pope Francis is one of the biggest supporters of the good of Egypt

The Vatican - October 8, 2022

The Egyptian Human Fraternity Foundation, which was launched last week in the capital of Egypt, Cairo, received the blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis, when His Holiness met with Monsignor Dr. Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, President of the Foundation, at His residence in Santa Marta House, in the Vatican.

During the meeting, His Holiness listened to an explanation given by Monsignor Yoannis about the Foundation's projects that aim to serve the Egyptian community and transform the principle of Human Fraternity Document into tangible projects, such as the "Bambino Gesù" hospital project in the New Administrative Capital, the Oasis of Mercy Orphanage, and the Human Fraternity School for disabled.

His Holiness Pope Francis had donated to the orphanage a copy of the statue of Mercy of Michelangelo. The orphanage’s name was inspired by the statue bearing the signature of His Holiness.

The Pope’s blessing for the Foundation’s projects is evidence of His Holiness and the Vatican’s interest in the charitable efforts offered by the Foundation in Egypt, which also received the support of His Excellency Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who granted the Foundation a land of 10,000 square meters, to establish the Bambino Gesù hospital project, which is specialized in Fetal, Maternal and Child Medicine.

His Holiness Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the Egyptian President for his support of the Human Fraternity Foundation that works to serve the Egyptian society, which received His Holiness as a dear guest in 2017, within the framework of the distinguished relationship between the Vatican and Egypt. His Holiness affirmed his encouragement for all efforts that transform the principle of Human Fraternity into concrete good works that serve all human beings, especially the poor, the sick and the needy.

Monsignor Younes Lahzi Gaid, who served as personal secretary to His Holiness for more than six years, expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Holiness Pope Francis for his support and blessing of the Foundation's projects, stressing that His Holiness "is one of the biggest supporters of the projects that are being held in Egypt to serve its honorable people." He pointed out that the projects that the Foundation will implement will constitute an important addition to the charitable work scene in Egypt, and a tributary to institutions working in the field of advancing human welfare, adding that the real renaissance Egypt is witnessing today gives rise to hope and requires an advanced and sophisticated level of humanitarian services.

The Human Fraternity Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization that aims to support and strengthen human Fraternity in the Egyptian society, and to spread the values and principles of the Human Fraternity Document signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in 2019, by supporting the needy, supporting the poor, helping the sick and spreading a culture of brotherhood and coexistence, without discrimination, exclusion or preference because of language, gender, race, color or religion. The Foundation was established in accordance with the laws of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and its activities are subject to the oversight and auditing of the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity.