Pope Francis: Equating Islam with terrorism ‘foolish’

By Ecenur Colak

ROME

Pope Francis has slammed untrue claims linking Islam with terrorism, according to local media reports Thursday.

According to the ANSA news agency, the pope said the view equating Islam with terrorism is baseless.

"It might be coming out of many people's mouths, but this equation is a lie and it is foolish," he said in an interview.

"The most important role [of religions] is that of promoting a culture of encounter, together in the promotion of true education for responsible behavior that takes care of creation," he added.