The funeral of the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, who passed away on Monday, November 25 at Gemelli Hospital in Rome at the age of 72, will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 27 at 2 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. He had been leading the dicastery since 2019 and had accompanied the Pope on almost all of his recent apostolic trips. His health condition had led to constant hospitalizations in recent times. On Monday morning, Pope Francis had asked for prayers for him.
Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, known for his gentle demeanor, deep faith, and intelligence, passed away on November 25 at the age of 72. He was often seen walking down Via della Conciliazione to his office, quietly praying along the way. The Cardinal had been dealing with long-term health issues that required hospitalizations and repeated surgeries. This prevented him from accompanying the Pope on the extensive trip to Southeast Asia and Oceania in September, where interreligious dialogue was a significant focus.
As a strong advocate for interreligious dialogue, Cardinal Ayuso Guixot had participated in various papal trips to countries where the Catholic Church is a minority, aiming to strengthen relationships between religions. He played a key role during Pope Francis’ visits to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Thailand, Japan, and Iraq. His expertise in Islam and the Arab world brought valuable insights to these interfaith encounters.
Born in Seville, Spain, Cardinal Ayuso Guixot had a profound connection to his Catholic faith from a young age. He pursued studies in law while maintaining his spiritual practices and eventually joined the Comboni Missionaries. His experiences in Egypt and Sudan during times of conflict shaped his dedication to assisting Catholic communities in challenging situations. His deep knowledge of Islam and Arabic culture was instrumental in his role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Throughout his career, Cardinal Ayuso Guixot worked tirelessly to foster relationships with Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Shinto, and other religious communities worldwide. His commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding among diverse faith traditions earned him recognition and respect from religious leaders across the globe. The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University in Cairo expressed his condolences and praised Cardinal Ayuso Guixot for his dedicated service to humanity.
In the wake of Cardinal Ayuso’s passing, the legacy of his work in promoting interreligious dialogue and fostering relationships across different faith communities will continue to inspire future generations. The Vatican and the global community mourn the loss of a prominent figure in the realm of interfaith cooperation and understanding.
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