Pope Francis Urges Muslim Leaders to Condemn Violence

Pope Francis has called on Muslim leaders to condemn violence in order to eliminate the unfortunate stereotype linking Islam with terrorism.

The Pontiff made his statement on a flight from Turkey, where he’s spent three days discussing divisions between faiths, reports the BBC.

He rejected those who say that “all Muslims are terrorists … [just] as we cannot say that all Christians are fundamentalists.”

During a visit at the Blue Mosque, the Pope stopped for two minutes turned towards Mecca, folded his hands and listened as the Grand Mufti of Istanbul gave a Muslim prayer.

Together with Patriarch Bartholomew I, the 77-year-old also released a joint statement appealing for an end to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, and for peace in Ukraine.