Pope Francis to visit Rome Mosque

(ANSA) - Rome, January 20 - Pope Francis on Wednesday accepted an invitation from the Islamic Cultural Centre of Italy to visit the Mosque of Rome, said Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Italy Rayed Krimly, who led a delegation to the Vatican on Wednesday to extend the official invitation.
    "Recognising the moral and spiritual leadership of His Holiness, in celebrating the Jubilee of Mercy and reiterating the profuse commitment of Muslims in promoting the values of dialogue and fruitful cooperation with believers of every faith, the delegation extended an official invitation to His Holiness to visit the Centre on a date that's ideal for His Holiness," Krimly said.
    "It was truly an immense honour and privilege to meet Pope Francis and invite His Holiness to visit the Islamic Centre of Rome," Krimly said.
    "His Holiness warmly received and accepted the invitation".
    "Independent of our being Muslims, Christians or Jews, we're all in the same boat together, and we can enjoy peace and prosperity if we stay united," he said.
    "Christian Arabs, just like European Muslims, comprise an authentic local integrated component of their respective countries".
    In addition to Ambassador Krimly, the delegation included Egyptian Ambassador Amr Mostafa Helmy and Moroccan Ambassador Hassan Abouyoub, the Centre's two vice presidents; Abdellah Redoaune, the Centre's general secretary; and Yahya Pallavicini, the Centre's president of the commission for interreligious dialogue.