Since his first international tour in 1989 with musician Sting, he has been received by numerous global figures, including five French presidents, two popes (John Paul II and Francis), and two kings (King Charles III of the United Kingdom and King Harald V of Norway). His lifelong commitment has led to him being regularly mentioned as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) from the University of Versailles – Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in June 2025, the Medal of the Brazilian National Order of Merit in April 2025, was named Knight of the Legion of Honor by President Emmanuel Macron in March 2024, received the Public Peace Prize in 2014, and has been an Honorary Citizen of the City of Paris since 2011.