They are rare but he is one of them. Omar Harfouch has decided to put his notoriety at the service of noble causes. The businessman, but also musician, is sensitive to various humanitarian struggles, and does not hesitate to get involved. This November 17, he had an encounter that he will not soon forget. Surrounded by his family, he was received in a private audience by Pope Francis at the Vatican. Omar Harfouch had the immense privilege of being the very first personality to receive the Vatican's 2025 Pontifical Jubilee medal, struck by Pope Francis. It is a medal, which is a reproduction of a coin that Saint-Pierre had with him even in his tomb. A true symbol of peace and hope.
For the occasion, a few rare guests were invited to this private audience, validated by the pontifical sovereign himself. Which allowed Omar Harfouch to be near his wife Yulia and their daughter Gustavia. The Holy Father blessed the concerto for peace that Omar Harfouch had the privilege and honor of playing in the Apostolic Library of the Vatican, in the Sistino Hall, a sacred place which never welcomes an audience and in which no event or concert had never been given. Accompanied by the symphony orchestra, Omar Harfouch conveyed his message of peace to the greatest representatives of libraries around the world.
An inestimable privilege for Omar Harfouch at the Vatican
On November 14, he was able to benefit from a rare privilege. The honor of playing his Concerto for Peace in the Apostolic Library of the Vatican, in this very symbolic place. Accompanied by the symphony orchestra, Omar Harfouch was welcomed by Monsignor Vincenzo Zani. In his speech Monsignor Vincenzo Zani recalled: “The Vatican Apostolic Library is very pleased to welcome this evening, with the heads of the most important libraries in the world, for the first time in this historic place, a concert by Omar Harfouch. I greet him warmly and express my sincere thanks.“
Before starting to play, the Franco-Lebanese artist also said a few words, affirming with emotion: “I would like to recall that Pope Francis said a phrase: 'We must all work for peace by any means.' This sentence constitutes the foundation of the music that we are going to play for you this evening. Everyone must try to do everything they can to help promote peace. This is the first time that this Concerto for Peace has been played in such a sacred place. We will try to speak to your heart, and we hope that this call will cross borders. Because this call will be launched from the Vatican, which is very symbolic.“
Poignant words which preceded his interpretation of the Concerto for Peace for around twenty minutes. At the end of this performance, Omar Harfouch was warmly applauded. Let us remember that the man who was a millionaire at 25 years old, is a virtuoso pianist who already performed during a magnificent evening for his “Concerto for Peace”, Wednesday September 18 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, with a host of celebrity guests , VIP and politics.
