Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb headed to Rome to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday, after years of suspended talks, al-Bawaba News reported. The historic visit between the two religious leaders, which is considered unprecedented, comes after serious tensions between the two institutions during the time of Francis' predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Al-Azhar released a statement reads that El-Tayeb's meeting with Francis will focus on coordination of efforts between Al-Azhar and the Vatican on spreading the culture of dialogue, coexistence and peace between peoples and societies.