Al-Azhar Observer in Foreign Languages highly praises the statements of Pope Francis to reporters about Islam aboard the plane flying him back from Poland to Rome. The Pope stated that there it is not right to identity Islam with violence as this is unacceptable generalization. "In nearly all religions there is a always a small fundamentalist group, even in Catholicism," he added
The Observer considers this statement reflecting the Pope's understanding of Islam and its pure teachings as well as the reality of the international arena. The issuance of such statement after the meeting between the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Pope last May proves the importance of having dialogue between these two great institutions for the happiness of all humanity.
Pope Francis has referred in these statements to his meeting with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar saying, "I had a long discussion with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and we understand how they think. They pursue peace and dialogue."