Pope Francis, who has passed away at 88, made significant efforts to improve relations between Catholics and Muslims while his papacy was marked by a commitment to interfaith dialogue and a strong stance against Islamophobia.
Historically, the relationship between the Catholic Church and Islam has often been fraught with tension, particularly following the Crusades and long-standing theological disputes.
However, Pope Francis from the beginning of his leadership emphasised cooperation, saying: “It is not possible to establish true links with God while ignoring other people… and I am thinking particularly of dialogue with Islam.”
Pope Francis on many occasions rejected the narrative that linked extremist violence to Islam, making it clear that such generalisations were not only harmful but also inaccurate.
In a 2016 address, he stated: “I don’t like to speak of Islamic violence because every day when I open the newspapers I see acts of violence, here in Italy: someone kills his girlfriend, someone else his mother-in-law… And these violent people are baptised Catholics! They are violent Catholics…”
This was part of his broader push to counter the growing association of Islam with terrorism.
Pope Francis consistently rejected this narrative, advocating for an understanding of Islam as a religion of peace.
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In his 2013 Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, he wrote: “Our relationship with the followers of Islam is important. They adore the one God, and their sacred texts contain elements of Christian teaching. Jesus and Mary are given deep respect.”
Refugees and Islamophobia
In 2023, Pope Francis took a strong stance against the burning of the Quran, a widespread act of Islamophobic protest in Europe.
In an interview with UAE’s main news outlet, he condemned the desecration of sacred texts, saying: “I feel angry and disgusted by these actions. Any book considered sacred by its believers must be respected. Freedom of expression must never be used as an excuse to despise others.”
This condemnation was in line with his broader approach to Islamophobia.
The Pope was particularly vocal about the need for Western countries to combat growing anti-Muslim sentiment. He argued that these actions only fuelled division. He instead urged a focus on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
In 2018, he made the decision to personally bring Muslim refugees to the Vatican, offering them shelter and space for prayer.
His stance on refugees and migration was clear: people fleeing war and persecution should not be seen as a threat, but as individuals in need of compassion and protection. He instructed bishops across Europe to shelter Muslim migrants and resist pressure to deport them, despite the political backlash from far-right groups.
His actions were not without criticism, with many labelling it a propaganda stunt intended to improve the image of the Catholic church.
In 2018, far-right factions vowed to overthrow Francis, enraged by his insistence on protecting refugees. Pope Francis insisted on his commitment, arguing that the duty to care for refugees and migrants transcends political ideologies.
Visits to the Muslim world
Pope Francis did not change official Church doctrine on Islam, but he shifted the tone of interfaith dialogue.
One of the most significant moments of Pope Francis’s outreach to Muslims was his relationship with Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.
In 2019, their meetings led to the co-signing of The Document on Human Fraternity.
This historic agreement sought to promote tolerance and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims.
The Document on Human Fraternity with Grand Imam al-Tayyeb remains one of the most significant interfaith milestones of the 21st century, setting a framework for dialogue, and cooperation.
Through this document, the Pope and the Imam called for greater understanding and solidarity among people of all faiths, and particularly for a united front against extremism.
In 2020, the document led to the establishment of an interfaith committee in the UAE to promote dialogue and peace.
Stance on Gaza
Before his hospitalisation, Pope Francis stood out as one of the few global leaders to consistently condemn Israel’s assault on Gaza.
In his book Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Towards a Better World, published in November, he referenced legal experts who believe the military campaign bears the hallmarks of genocide.
He called for serious examination of the situation to determine whether it meets the definition under international law.
His remarks triggered a backlash from Israeli officials. In December, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned the Vatican’s ambassador, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, to register its protest.
This followed the Pope’s public condemnation of Israeli strikes on civilian infrastructure. “Children were bombed. This is cruelty, not war,” he said.
Throughout the conflict, Francis maintained daily phone calls with Gaza’s only Catholic parish, offering prayers and solidarity.
Remarkably, he continued this practice even during his hospital stay in early 2024.
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of a papacy that took a markedly different approach to Muslim-Christian relations compared to many of his predecessors.
His public rejection of Islamophobia and efforts to challenge the portrayal of Islam as inherently violent shaped a more open discourse between the two faiths, even if not without criticism or limitations.
