Youth for Peace & Dialogue Between Cultures is honored to announce that its Founder and President, Zakaria El Hamel, has received an official letter of appreciation from the Secretariat of State of the Vatican, issued on behalf of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. This correspondence, dated 21 July 2025, acknowledges Mr. El Hamel’s message of greetings sent in his personal capacity and on behalf of Youth for Peace & Dialogue Between Cultures upon the Holy Father’s election as Supreme Pontiff.
In the letter, the Holy See expresses gratitude for this thoughtful gesture, assures Mr. El Hamel of remembrance in the Pope’s prayers, and invokes upon him an abundance of the Almighty’s blessings. This recognition highlights the shared commitment of Youth for Peace & Dialogue Between Cultures and the Catholic Church to advancing peace, human dignity, and dialogue between cultures and religions.
For our organization, this message from the Vatican is a profound encouragement to continue promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, interfaith understanding, and youth leadership in peacebuilding across Morocco and beyond. It affirms the tireless efforts of our volunteers, partners, and young leaders who work every day to transform a culture of injustice into a culture of respect, mutual understanding, and non‑violence.
Youth for Peace & Dialogue Between Cultures extends heartfelt thanks to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and to the Secretariat of State for this gesture of esteem. Inspired by this moral support, we reaffirm our dedication to empowering youth as architects of peace today, and to building bridges between communities, faiths, and cultures in a turbulent world.
