The best way to approach things is to find allies in the Islamic world who share a vision of tolerance and openness and who recognize the concept of the Abrahamic religions as having a common core of beliefs.

There are around 30,000 (including 23,000 Catholics) of them in this majority Muslim nation of 35 million people.

Iraqis and Syrians returning to their homelands and refugees living abroad need the help of all Catholics and people of goodwill, said the Congregation for Eastern Churches.

That many religions exist in the world is a fact, but what that plurality communicates to believers about God is a question that theologians are still discussing.

Gerry told me this week, “I think it’s difficult to convey the long-term consequences that could emerge from this visit.”

Pope Francis made history this morning when he celebrated Mass for more than 135,000 Catholics from many nations and cultures at the Zayed Sports stadium in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.