His Eminence Dr Ahmed El Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders has congratulated Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church on the upcoming Christmas holiday. The Grand Imam also congratulated the Pope for his 82nd birthday, wishing him a long and prosperous life filled with goodness, love and peace.

For his part, Pope Francis thanked the Grand Imam for his lovely and sincere gestures, while expressing his happiness at his upcoming meeting with the Grand Imam in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi.

The Pope also added, “Be sure that I always pray for you and I am very grateful for your sincere love.”