Khaled El-Enany, candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, was received by HH Pope Francis on the 10th of February 2025, during a private audience at the Vatican. The discussions centered on the urgent need to strengthen intercultural dialogue as a means to combat extremism and promote a culture of peace.
For centuries, interfaith and intercultural dialogue have been essential pillars of global understanding. In this spirit, HH Pope Francis—the first Latin American pontiff—champions a vision of fraternity and respect that is not merely aspirational but a necessity for building a more inclusive and harmonious world.
Following their meeting, El-Enany emphasized UNESCO’s crucial role in defending pluralism and fostering mutual respect. “Ignorance and division fuel conflict. UNESCO must be the driving force behind a global dialogue rooted in education, science, culture, communication, and information. HH Pop Francis’ call for universal fraternity deeply resonates with this mission,” he stated.