# Francis of Assisi meets the Sultan (1219)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1219-francis-of-assisi-meets-the-sultan
Location: Damietta, Egypt
Themes: Mission

During the Fifth Crusade's siege of Damietta, Francis of Assisi crosses the lines to preach before Sultan al-Kamil of Egypt, who receives him courteously and lets him return unharmed. At this point in the timeline (1219), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Honorius III (18 July 1216 – 18 March 1227).

## Why it matters
The encounter became a lasting symbol of peaceful Christian witness to Islam in an age of crusade.

Pope at the time: [Pope Honorius III](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-honorius-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Francis of Assisi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Francis of Assisi meets the Sultan](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Francis+of+Assisi+meets+the+Sultan)
- [Wikipedia — Medieval Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church#Middle_Ages)