Pope Francis Not Closing Doors For Talks With ISIS Despite Death Threat

Pope Francis is not closing his doors when it comes to talks with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants. When asked if a dialogue with ISIS would happen anytime soon, the Roman Catholic Church leader admitted it would be challenging but it is always possible.

Speaking with reporters while on a plane on the way to Rome, Pope Francis said he does not consider anything a "lost cause" amid the threats made by ISIS against Rome and especially the Vatican. In the group's official magazine Dabiq, ISIS showed an edited photo of St Peter's Square with the central obelisk waving a black flag. The group captioned it as "The Failed Crusade" in reference Islam's final crusade against the Roman-Christians.

The publication contained a narrative of the prophecy of a "final, greatest and bloodiest battle" between Muslims and Christians" that ISIS also wants to become a reality. Previous reports have indicated that ISIS has threatened the life of Pope Francis. International media has noted that the pope's Santa Marta residence may be at risk since its food and other supplies come from the outside. Only an old brick wall separates the hotel from the rest of Italy.

According to Breitbart, Pope Francis objects to the idea of beefing up security. Earlier in November, Father Juan Carlos Molina from Argentina told the pope to "be careful, they could kill you" in reference to ISIS' threats. Pope Francis only replied that it was the best thing to happen. Father Molina told the Argentinian daily La Nacion that the pope's words were not of resignation to his fate but of an understanding of martyrdom as part of being the leader of the church.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis is set to visit Turkey to address relations with Islam and persecution of Christians in the Middle East. As the fourth pope to visit Turkey, the pope will seek to initiate a dialogue with Muslims and Christians in a time when there is an increased number of Christian minorities who are persecuted because of their faith, The Guardian noted. Most of the Christians in Iraq and Syria who fled to escape ISIS now live as refugees in Turkey.