The Knights of Columbus received the 2026 Path to Peace Award in recognition of the groupʼs service to the cause of peace, justice, and humanitarian aid.
The award, an international distinction bestowed by the Path to Peace Foundation, was presented May 18 in New York to Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly during the traditional Path to Peace gala dinner, organized in support of the work of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and various urgent humanitarian causes.
The award was presented by the apostolic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, president of the foundation and permanent observer of the Holy See to the U.N.
The Knights of Columbus, considered the worldʼs foremost Catholic lay organization for men, carries out initiatives involving charity, humanitarian aid, formation, and support for families in various countries.
The organization states that its mission is to help Catholic men live out their faith and serve their families, parishes, communities, and nations.
“On behalf of more than 2.2 million Knights of Columbus worldwide, it is an incredible honor to accept the Path to Peace Award,” Kelly said during the ceremony.
The organization’s leader recalled that Blessed Michael McGivney founded the Knights more than 140 years ago “upon the pillars of charity, unity, and fraternity.”
“Today, we are proud to continue this mission throughout the world in our parishes and communities, and in nations facing the devastating impacts of war and religious intolerance. We pray that our efforts help bring peace and alleviate suffering, bearing witness to the hope that comes from Jesus Christ,” Kelly stated.
An award linked to the diplomacy of the Holy See
The significance of this recognition is closely linked to the diplomatic and humanitarian mission of the Holy See at the U.N.
The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the U.N. was officially established on April 6, 1964, and has since played an active role in promoting peace, justice, human rights, and the social doctrine of the Church within the international community.
As the Path to Peace Foundation explains, the foundation was established with the aim of expanding humanitarian and reconciliation activities beyond the strictly diplomatic sphere, promoting the Catholic Churchʼs message of peace and the popeʼs teachings on morality, development, and human rights.
Its key initiatives include international seminars on social encyclicals, cultural activities at the U.N., humanitarian projects for refugees and the sick, and the dissemination of documents related to the diplomacy of the Holy See.
Recognition of international leaders
The Path to Peace Award has been presented since 1993 to individuals and institutions whose lives and work have contributed significantly to the well-being of the international community.
Recipients include former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali; Corazon Aquino, former president of the Philippines; Lech Wałęsa, former trade union leader and president of Poland; King Abdullah II along with Queen Rania Al Abdullah, reigning Jordanian monarchs; and current U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.