CAIRO: Islam’s highest seat of learning, Al-Azhar, said yesterday that it wants “better relations” with the Vatican under Pope Francis.

“We are hoping for better relations with the Vatican after the election of the new pope,” Mahmud Azab, adviser for inter-faith affairs to Al-Azhar imam Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, told AFP.

“As soon as a new policy emerges, we will resume the dialogue with the Vatican which was suspended in early 2011,” Azab said. “We congratulate the Church of St. Peter and all Catholics around the world.”