“Our wish is, without a shadow of a doubt, that Pope Leo XIV (…) continues the legacy of Pope Francis, because Pope Francis, with all the frankness of this world, did a magnificent job,” Mahomed Iqbal stated during a phone interview with the Lusa news agency.
Iqbal highlighted that Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, “was very concerned with the needy, with people in difficult situations” and “always intended to use faith, religion, to unite the faiths.” He expressed hope that the new Pope would also “manage to unite religions through faith.”
Mahomed Iqbal emphasized the “great importance” of all religions being “in harmony” to address global issues, citing examples such as the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and “unfortunately now also between Pakistan and India.”
“Our strong belief is that His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, can bring this harmony among people worldwide,” he added.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, who was elected Pope and chose the name Leo XIV, appealed for support to “build bridges through dialogue and encounter,” referring to “one people” in the quest for peace during his first public address as the head of the Catholic Church.
Born in Chicago, United States, the new Pope has Spanish ancestry and Peruvian nationality and belongs to the Order of Saint Augustine.
