"we feel that this will continue with the new Pope"
A prominent Sikh leader has praised Pope Leo XIV’s message of unity after a historic audience at the Vatican.
Bhai Sahib, Professor Mohinder Singh, chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) in Birmingham, was part of a Sikh delegation that met the newly inaugurated Pope on May 19, 2025.
Professor Singh said: “I was overjoyed, and of course I congratulated him on his inauguration.
“I felt very happy.”
The delegation joined leaders from various churches and faith groups, who had attended Pope Leo’s inauguration Mass the day before.
It marked the third papal audience for Professor Mohinder Singh, the first Sikh ever to receive the pontifical order of knighthood for his work in interfaith relations.
He expressed confidence in the new Pope’s commitment to peace and cooperation.
He explained: “There was much optimism [among Sikhs] in what the late Pope was doing and has done.
“And we feel that this will continue with the new Pope – that was the feeling I was getting.”
In his speech, Pope Leo honoured his predecessor’s legacy of interreligious dialogue. He called on faith communities to walk a “common path” rooted in “a spirit of human fraternity”.
Professor Mohinder Singh said this approach was vital.
The Sikh leader said: “This was very, very important.
“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.”
He also welcomed the Pope’s focus on peace and simplicity, adding:
“But he will also work on peace-building.
“His first speech was on peace. That, I feel, is important for him.”
Professor Mohinder Singh’s GNNSJ has been recognised internationally for promoting community service and spiritual dialogue.
GNNSJ has two sister organisations in Leeds and London with branches in India and Kenya.
Professor Singh is the first British Sikh to be awarded the official title of ‘Bhai Sahib’ by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, SGPC, Amritsar, for his selfless service in propagating the Sikh faith, engagement in interfaith work and heritage conservation.
Professor Singh has received three honorary doctorates: from the University of Central England in 2002, from the University of Birmingham in 2006, and another from Aston University in 2014, primarily for his services towards religious faith propagation, community service, education and science.
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