March 16 - Interfaith leaders see hope in Pope Francis

Religious leaders from a wide spectrum of faith backgrounds sent their regards and prayers to Pope Francis upon his election as Bishop of Rome.

“One of the things I found very moving about the…call of the new Pope this week, has been my sense of deep gratitude for his social conscience,” Doctor Mark Labberton, the new president of a leading Protestant school, Fullerton Theological Seminary, told EWTN News March 15.

Thomas Schirrmacher, an official with the World Evangelical Alliance wrote in the Christian Post that under Pope Francis evangelicals “can hope for the continuation of truly fair and honest theological discussions of both our differences and commonalities.”

On March 14, Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Oriental Orthodox Church, congratulated Pope Francis, noting that “we fondly remember our meetings and prayers together with Your Holiness in Argentina, during which we came to know you as a good shepherd, and a courageous, wise, and just Church Leader.” Karekin II wrote that he prays for continued growth in cooperation between his Church and the Catholic Church.

Justin Welby, the head of the Anglican Communion, said, “May the love of Christ unite us, and intensify our service in a genuine and fruitful ecumenism that can be a blessing for the Body of Christ throughout the world.”