Pope Francis, in an unscripted moment during his address at St. Patrick's Cathedral Thursday night, wished Muslims a happy Eid and offered sympathy for the hundreds of pilgrims who died in a stampede in Mecca.
"I am thinking of them," the pontiff said. "I'm close to them in the face of the tragedy that they suffered in Mecca."
Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha, one of two feast festivals in the Islamic year and a time when many make the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. More than 700 pilgrims were killed on Thursday when a stampede broke out just outside the holy city.
Mecca has witnessed numerous deadly stampedes, fires and riots over the years, but Thursday's tragedy was the worst to hit the hajj pilgrimage in 25 years.
Muslim activist Linda Sarsour said Francis's remarks demonstrated his welcoming attitude toward an often-maligned faith.
"Pope Francis epitomizes love and dignity for all," Sarsour told The Huffington Post. "While many leaders have turned their backs on Muslims and choose to vilify and ostracize our communities and our faith, the pope opens his heart to us and reminds the world of our shared humanity."
Sarsour will be among faith leaders participating in an interfaith prayer service with Pope Francis at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York on Friday. The pontiff will meet with relatives of those who died in the terrorist attacks and take part in a service with representatives from a wide range of faiths.
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"Miremos a Jesús que nos lava los pies. Él es el camino…" #PapaFrancisco #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/nmromDrGsY
— Antonio Spadaro SJ (@antoniospadaro) September 27, 2015
Did you see this? Emotional embrace between #PopeInPhilly and prisoner https://t.co/niTiRpwxkX
— Ryan M. Thomas ن (@RyanM_Thomas) September 27, 2015
Security out in full force in Philly. They've called in Border Patrol, for example. #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/zhccQpREMJ
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
Crowds are out on the Ben Franklin parkway for the pope's parade. Getting a preview of his view. #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/5wZ7G11G6b
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
pop(e) art pic.twitter.com/o1FsEGZF5x
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
1/2: Cardinal Dolan says Pope Francis asked to circle the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as he departed NYC in helicopter. #PopeInUS
— Melanie Grayce West (@MelanieGWest) September 26, 2015
2/2: Cardinal Dolan said Pope Francis was "very moved" at the sight of Statue of Liberty at daybreak. #PopeInNYC
— Melanie Grayce West (@MelanieGWest) September 26, 2015
He's here. #PopeinNYC #popeinmsg pic.twitter.com/3xW3OBH796
— Friends of Nativity (@NativityNYC) September 25, 2015
Smooth Henry Connick, Jr sings one of my praise jams ☺ "How Great Thou Art" #PopeinNYC #MSGMass pic.twitter.com/ANX4KwgTPJ
— Nicola_A_Menzie (@namenzie) September 25, 2015
#PopeFrancis' message to Catholic school students and immigrants in East Harlem. pic.twitter.com/s2oUeUvn5T
— HuffPost Religion (@HuffPostRelig) September 25, 2015
Pretty exciting day! Lots of crowds to see #PopeFrancis #PopeinNYC @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/oIrv3mDAKY
— Jeff Herzfeld (@jeffherzfeld) September 25, 2015
Ascension students and all of the Manhattan schools meet the Holy Father. We love you Holy Father! pic.twitter.com/Sq0nGk89ZS
— Ascension School (@Ascension_NYC) September 25, 2015
This picture of @Pontifex makes me think of the title of his encyclical: The JOY of the Gospel. #PopeinNYC pic.twitter.com/2JmEZuq5Vx
— Fr Matthew Schneider (@FrMatthewLC) September 25, 2015
@SocialinPhilly Annie cat in Fishtown is ready for #PopeInUSA pic.twitter.com/sAsEIPDk8d
— Patrice Bendig (@Patrice_Bendig) September 25, 2015
This shouldn't take too long. #PopeinNYC pic.twitter.com/oIJeQuXKZv
— Grant Gallicho (@gallicho) September 25, 2015
Serious crowds outside Madison Sq Garden, where pope celebrates Mass tonight, & serious security inside Penn Station pic.twitter.com/vKhw8srj1H
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 25, 2015
Two planes create a cross directly over the United Nations after @Pontifex's speech concludes. #PopeInNYC pic.twitter.com/YqwjabIypC
— Catherine Szeltner (@CatSzeltner) September 25, 2015
Thousands await Pope Francis to celebrate Mass and the canonization of Junipero Serra pic.twitter.com/yTYwdogkw9
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 23, 2015