POPE FRANCIS WORKED FOR COEXISTENCE WITH ISLAM

Pope Francis, who died today at the age of 88, will be remembered, among other works as Pontiff, for his efforts to strengthen coexistence between Christians and Islam.

he Pope traveled to various Arab countries and held meetings, including with the Dean of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the most highly regarded university for Muslims worldwide.

Francis was the first Pope from Latin America and acceded to the Pontificate when the German-born Pope, Benedict XVI, resigned.

Pope Francis has had to be hospitalized on numerous occasions, including for colon surgery in July 2021, after abdominal hernia surgery in June 2023, and most recently for bronchitis in February 2025.

The Pope deeply believed that the three monotheistic religions should be united by their belief in the one God, cooperating with each other. He made his affection for Muslim believers clear on several occasions.

Francis expressed his desire for an end to the war in Gaza and the genocide perpetrated by Israel. On one occasion, he even accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of continuing the war instead of negotiating a peace process and a complete cessation of hostilities.

In 2023, while claiming that criminalizing homosexuality is a "wrong," he insists that it is a "sin." That same year, on the issue of priestly celibacy, he also blew hot and cold, declaring that he was "not ready" to review this obligation. Then he added: "We will see that the time will come when a pope, perhaps, will review it."

Addressing Muslims, he emphasized that “every believer must be free to propose their own religion, but above all, never impose it.” He also indicated that they should welcome “one another as brothers and sisters” because they are called, “first and foremost,” Christians and Muslims, who worship “the one God” and who refer, “albeit in different ways, to Abraham as their father in faith.”

“Those of us who have received the gift of this religious belonging are called to be open and welcoming to those who do not share it, because they are, like all of us, members of the one human family,” he also said on another occasion.

He noted that “It is absolutely erroneous to believe that Islam has ties to terrorism,” affirming that this connection is made by those who are mistaken about the true nature of Islam.

 Francois underlines: “It gives me great pleasure to greet you as you celebrate 'Id al-Fitr', so concluding the month of Ramadan, dedicated mainly to fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

It is a tradition by now that, on this occasion, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialoguesends you a message of good wishes, together with a proposed theme for common reflection. This year, the first of my Pontificate, I have decided to sign this traditional message myself and to send it to you, dear friends, as an expression of esteem and friendship for all Muslims, especially those who are religious leaders.

On the Ranadan: “I am aware that family and social dimensions enjoy a particular prominence for Muslims during this period, and it is worth noting that there are certain parallels in each of these areas with Christian faith and practice”