The Vatican has honoured Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus with the ‘Lamp of Peace of Saint Francis’ award at the Basilica of St. Francis, in Assisi, Italy.
The award is given to honour those who work towards promoting peace and harmony.
Professor Yunus held a Lectio Magistralis at the Upper Basilica of San Francesco of Assisi (Umbria) on Wednesday and received the award.
Father Mauro Gambetti, the Master of the Holy Convent and the Papal Basilica of Assisi presented the award to Professor Yunus on behalf of the Vatican.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Yunus expressed his worries about three impending dangers which challenge the very existence of human beings: extreme wealth concentration, rapid environmental degradation and the rise of artificial intelligence.
The ceremony took place at the historical Papal Basilica of Assisi in the presence of senior officials of the Vatican, political leaders, rectors, professors from different universities in Rome, prominent social leaders and youths from all over Italy.
Father Enzo Fortunato, spokesperson and communication director of the Holy Convent of Papal Basilica of Assisi, representing Vatican, invited Professor Yunus on behalf of Pope Frances and made the award announcement earlier at the 9th Social Business Day held in Bangkok in June this year.