Francis has made it his business to try to build bridges with the Muslim world with the energy of a missionary. Benedict also delivered his message to Islam from afar.

The situation in North Korea, he added, has been heated for a long time, "but now it seems it has heated up too much, no?"

Francis took the risk, trusting in God. His decision transmitted a message of hope on the political front to all Egyptians, Christians and Muslims alike, who are well aware that their country is today a target for ISIS terrorists and is engaged in a battle against terrorism.

The only kind of fanaticism that is acceptable to God is being fanatical about loving and helping others, Pope Francis said on his final day in Egypt.

The pope emphasized that Egypt, because of its history and geographical position, “occupies a unique role in the Middle East.