In a strong sign of interfaith support, Pope Francis’ powerful encyclical on climate change last week cited 9th century Sufi poet Ali-al-Khawas.
In the speech, Pope Francis talked about the concept of nature’s “mystical meaning” and quoted from the Muslim poet: “The initiate will capture what is being said when the wind blows, the trees sway, water flows, flies buzz, doors creak, birds sing, or in the sound of strings or flutes, the sighs of the sick, the groans of the afflicted.”
