Muslims in Europe see hope for better relations with Roman Catholicism after the new pope took the name Francis, recalling the 13th-century saint known for his efforts to launch Christian dialogue with Islam, Reuters reported. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio chose the name after his election on Wednesday in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, who is revered for his radical poverty and humility. Francis met the sultan of Egypt in 1219 on a peace mission during the Fifth Crusade. St. Francis crossed enemy lines unarmed to meet Sultan Malik al-Kamil and discuss war, peace and faith. Muslim leaders in Italy, France and Germany, where St. Francis and his Franciscan order of brown-robed friars are well known, struck an upbeat tone. "As Muslims of the West, we take as a particularly hopeful sign the reminder, in the name of the new pontiff, of the great example of sanctity and opening to the East and to Islam that St. Francis of Assisi gave," the Italian Islamic Religious Community (COREIS) said in a statement. They hoped he would be inspired by his link to St. Francis, "who at the start of the 13th century voluntarily initiated the first Islamic-Christian dialogue in history". Germany's Muslim Coordination Council (KRM) said the choice of the name Francis "set an important tone" for a dialogue with Muslims "on an equal basis and with respect". Muslim leaders in his native Argentina said the pope had visited them several times while he was archbishop of Buenos Aires and had cordial relations with the country's 800,000 Muslims, mostly of Syrian and Lebanese origin. "We have a lot of faith in the breadth of his vision and his openness to dialogue," said Galeb Moussa, president of the Federation of Argentinian Arab Organisations. He thought Francis could help foster Catholic dialogue with Muslims in Europe because he had "no links to the Eurocentric axis where Islam in Europe is being attacked and bad-mouthed". -- SPA 20:32 LOCAL TIME 17:32 GMT تغريد
