Pope Francis calls for respect between Christianity, Islam

Pope Francis Friday congratulated Muslims for advent of Eid Al-Fitr, calling for planting seeds of mutual respect and understanding between Christianity and Islam. The Pope, in a statement by the Vatican, said he was keen on extending his warm congratulations for Muslims around the globe on the approach of Eid Al-Fitr, which would mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. Francis said he decided to personally sign the congratulations letter "to express my appreciation" to all Muslims and their leaders. He said he had chosen the name Francis when he was named the leader of the Catholic Church because Saint Francis was known for his love for Allah and all of his creatures. The Pope said he truely realized the value of the family and social merits during Ramadhan. He called on Muslims to strengthen "mutual respect through nurturing" and to raise new generations to respect other religions. Francis called for respecting every person, his properties, ethnic and cultural identity, his ideas and political choices. He underlined important role of family, school, religious teachings and media to cementing principles of mutual respect in relations between "believers particularly between Christians and Muslims," and their worshipping places. The Pope said he was keen, since his assumption of office, on the importance of dialogue between faiths.