Story Summary

The election of Argentine Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church, deserves both our congratulations and our reflection for the future of Muslim-Christian coexistence and dialogue.

Pope Francis may find in his two immediate predecessors important lessons that could guide his future relations with Muslims.

Pope John Paul II was a good communicator and supporter of interfaith dialogue.

With this in mind, I hope that Pope Francis has inherited the best of both of his predecessors: the openness and good will of Pope John Paul toward Muslims, and the willingness of Pope Benedict to continue dialogue and strengthen relations with Muslims worldwide.

Indeed, I hope that Pope Francis will renew the Catholic-Muslim Forum with new energy and commitment to the spirit of the A Common Word Initiative which Pope Benedict helped begin.

With strong interfaith relations, there are three areas of common human concern that Pope Francis might make important.

I hope that Pope Francis will do what he can to work with Muslims and others in order to build an ark that will save this common humanity of ours.

READ FULL STORY HERE: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2013/Apr-05/212627-a-bosnian-muslim-welcome-to-pope-francis.ashx#axzz2PoCFVscl