Many Catholics (and some non-Catholics) have rightly linked the humility and simple lifestyle of Pope Francis with that of St. Francis of Assisi. But the story below reminds us that St. Francis was not just interested in serving the poor. He determined to boldly and unashamedly preach the Gospel even if it meant losing his life in the process.
The date was 1219, and as the purposeless 5th Crusade was dragging on and on, St. Francis and a few chosen friends prayed about what most Christians in that day thought was a senseless and foolhardy mission: convert the most powerful Muslim personage in the world. Attempting to win no less than the Kamil Sultan of Egypt was incredible to say the least; such faith and holy audacity.
Francis took a dozen brothers through Syria and then on to Egypt. The Pope had said no but he appealed to Cardinal Pelagius for permission to travel to the Sultan. So radical was the Sultan he had promised a Byzantine gold piece for anyone who brought the head of a Christian. The Cardinal had described the Sultan as “treacherous, brainless and false hearted,” but after some delay granted permission because of the unusual zeal. Where other Christians saw the face of evil, Francis saw a man without the Savior, and compassion welled up inside of him.
For the last lap of the journey Francis and his trusted friend Illumimato left the Crusader’s camp without looking back. As the friars walked straight into the battlefield, they were caught, beaten and brought to the Sultan who was happy because he thought they wanted to become Muslims. “On the contrary,” said Francis, “We have a message that you should surrender your soul to God.” With this introduction, he proclaimed the Triune God and Jesus Christ the Savior of all. When the Sultan was advised to behead them, he said no, and invited them to stay on as guests. Francis said, “If you are willing to become converts of Christ, you and your people, I shall only be too glad to stay with you.”
Such a response to Arab hospitality was unheard of. Francis then offered to walk through fire if it would help convince the Muslim leader. If he would come out unharmed the Sultan should be prepared to embrace Christ. The Sultan demurred, but was impressed, and offered presents, which Francis declined to accept. Kamil became even more amazed and permitted him to preach the gospel in his house, compound, and upon his departure asked the friar to pray that God would show him the right way.
Evidently, the Sultan did not convert for it was he who retook Jerusalem, but had it not been for the dismal failure and frustration of such a misguided response to Muslims, Francis would never have set out on his mission. More importantly, Stephen Neil says it was the manifestation of a new era: now by love and good deeds, conversion was to take place, not by force of arms. Soon thereafter, several Franciscan missionaries were sent to the Kingdom of Morocco, where five were martyred for Christ.
In our day, the threat of Islamist groups can make us want to shun Muslims and even hate them. This past week, one hundred and fifty homes were burned in Badam Bagh, a Christian neighborhood of Lahore, Pakistan. We must remember that attitudes toward Muslims during the crusades were hostile beyond what we can imagine, yet St. Francis was motivated to share Christ, and so should we. Muslims wake up with no church, no Bible, and no one to tell them about the Way, the Truth and the Life. Five times a day from countless minarets in their midst they hear God is great but who will tell them God is love?
 Elizabeth Goudge, Saint Francis of Assisi, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1961.
 A History of Christian Mission, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1965.