Faltas Ibrahim

Ibrahim Faltas (Alexandria, Egypt, 2 February 1964) is an Egyptian Franciscan. He studied at Franciscan schools in Egypt, graduating in 1982, and obtained a degree in Philosophy from the Franciscan Oriental Institute in Giza between 1982 and 1985. After serving in the Egyptian military (1986-1988), he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Theology in Jerusalem (1988-1992) and was ordained a priest in the Order of Friars Minor – Custody of the Holy Land on 28 August 1992.
He has held various positions, including director of the Headnurse School in Jericho (1993-1995) and assistant parish priest in Bethlehem. Since 1995, he has been director of the Holy Land College in Bethlehem and responsible for the Statu Quo in the Basilica of the Nativity.
Faltas is known for his role as mediator during the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in 2002, where he helped find a solution between the conflicting parties through dialogue. He is the author of the book ‘The Siege of the Church of the Nativity’ and numerous writings on peace and the Middle East conflict.
He was parish priest of Jerusalem (2004-2010) and General Treasurer of the Custody of the Holy Land (2010-2016). From 2016 to 2022, he was Discreet of the Custody. In 2022, he was elected Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land. Currently, he is also director of the Custody’s schools, advisor to the Custody, director of Casa Nova in Jerusalem and member of the John Paul II Foundation.
He knows and speaks Arabic, Italian and English. He has received numerous awards for his commitment to dialogue and solidarity, promoting projects of solidarity, integration and peace education, particularly for young people and children. He is an honorary citizen of several Italian cities, including Terni and Orvieto.