On March 13, a new pope, Pope Francis I, was elected. The head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, also known as the Khalifa of Islam, congratulated the new pope.
“I hope and pray that in the forthcoming era, the pope uses his influence to develop peace and harmony in the world,” he said.
Fourteen hundred years ago, Prophet Muhammad taught to respect all religions and also invited Christians to build bridges of respect and harmony with the Muslims. The same message is recorded in the Quran, which says “Say, O People of the Book! come to a word equal between us and you — that we worship none but God.”
I hope the new pope can pave the way so Muslims and Christians can work together to create peace and harmony worldwide.
