GSD Middle East Chairman had the great privilege of meeting His Holiness, the Pontifex Maximus, Pope Francis for a short, private meeting during which he congratulated the Pontiff in person for his courage in pushing for interreligious discourse and his tenacity in defending the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, the weak and the displaced. He gives a voice to those who have none and challenges us all to address uncomfortable truths. He will be remembered in history as the Pope who believed in dialogue among faiths and the power of religion to unite rather than divide nations. He is a truly great spiritual leader who works tirelessly and shares a vision of humanity with all religious leaders – that is, the vision of peaceful coexistence among people that will end poverty, violence, extremism and religious intolerance.