Iman Chairman Congratulates Pope Francis on his Inauguration as Leader of the Catholic Church

Pope Francis officially began his ministry as the 266th pope - and as the first from South America - on Tuesday in an installation Mass watched by millions of people.

"I want to ask a favor," Francis told them. "I want to ask you to walk together, and take care of one another. ... And don't forget that this bishop who is far away loves you very much. Pray for me."

Francis said the role of the pope is to open his arms and protect all of humanity, but "especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison."

"Today amid so much darkness we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others," he said. "To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope, it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds," he said.

(Source - Fox News)

Commenting on the story, Ribal Al-Assad, Chairman of the Iman Foundation, said:

"I would like to congratulate Pope Francis on his inauguration as Pope and Head of the Catholic Church, I was inspired by his words and completely agree with the sentiments of his speech"

"As one of the worlds most important Religious leaders, I hope he will build on the work of Pope Benedict XVI and use his influence to confront hatred, intolerance and violence - especially in North Africa and the Middle East. I have every faith that he will help foster a constructive discourse in the region"