Internationally acclaimed Zoroastrian icon and President of the World Zoroastrian Organisation, Zerbanoo Gifford, was recently honoured with a special audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. She was accompanied by her husband, Richard Gifford, who has devoted over three decades to championing the legal rights of the displaced Chagossian community.

The Chagossians, a people wrongfully uprooted from their island homeland in the Indian Ocean by the British Government during the 1960s, have endured decades of hardship and forced exile. Richard Gifford has been their lawyer for over 30 years, relentlessly pursuing justice on their behalf. His tireless advocacy finally led to the international community recognising their right to return to the Chagos Archipelago.

At the Vatican, Pope Leo welcomed the couple and leading members of the Chagos Refugee Group to his private chambers. Addressing them in French, the Pontiff spoke of the grave injustice faced by the Chagossians and expressed gratitude to those who had worked selflessly in support of their struggle. Richard outlined the long legal battle he had waged and received the Pope’s blessing for his unwavering pursuit of justice.

During the meeting, Zerbanoo presented the Pope with two significant works for the Vatican Library: a copy of the Zoroastrian Avesta and her own publication, The Z to A of Zoroastrianism. She also gifted a manual developed at the ASHA Centre – an institution she founded in the Forest of Dean, which was created for the European Union’s ‘Designing Learning for Peace’ programme. The Pope showed great interest in Zerbanoo’s acclaimed book on Thomas Clarkson and the anti-slavery movement, a subject close to his own commitment to addressing poverty and human exploitation.

Speaking exclusively to Parsi Times, Zerbanoo Gifford shared, “Meeting Pope Leo XIV was a profound spiritual experience. Presenting the Avesta at the Vatican felt like offering the wisdom of our ancient faith to the world stage – I wished to emphasise the Zoroastrian ideals of truth and justice, which resonate so strongly with the Pope’s vision of compassion and dignity for all. It affirmed my belief that justice and peace are achieved when faiths come together in dialogue and shared humanity.”

The discussion also highlighted the ASHA Centre’s global outreach with young people. This November, ASHA Centre will host an interfaith programme for emerging leaders, culminating in a keynote address by Britain’s Interfaith Minister and the Church of England’s first female Bishop, Rachel Treweek of Gloucester. The ASHA Centre will also serve as the UK Representation Office for the Chagos Refugees Group of Mauritius, further strengthening its role in justice and reconciliation.

Zerbanoo Gifford’s Vatican visit allowed her to undertake a profound spiritual journey, walking through the four Holy Doors of Rome’s major basilicas – St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore. These doors, opened only during Jubilee Years, symbolise renewal, forgiveness and God’s embrace.

A pioneering voice in British politics and global human rights, Zerbanoo has dedicated her life to advancing equality, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony. The author of seven books and recipient of numerous awards, she continues to enrich the legacy of the Zoroastrian community while shaping the wider humanitarian landscape.

Her audience with Pope Leo XIV was not only a tribute to her personal achievements but also a recognition of the shared values of justice, compassion and service. It marked yet another milestone in a lifetime devoted to building bridges across cultures and faiths. In standing before the Pope, Zerbanoo Gifford carried with her the spirit of Zoroastrianism and the enduring message that faith, courage, and humanity together can change the course of history.