Converting from one faith to another faith is no big deal. Converting from a faith to atheism requires more wisdom.

alan, germany,

The liturgically appropriate time for the Baptism, Confirmation, and reception of First Eucharist, according to the Roman Church's Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is regularly at the Easter Vigil. The Holy Father was just following the Rites of the Church. Of course, the convert's status in many communities gives this act some headlines, but look at the overall action of the entire Church. Examine the process and many rites within RCIA worldwide! This smaller initiation into the Easter Sacraments was just representative of the broader reception of believers universally. I believe that those received into Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at St. Peter's Basilica were to represent those received from "all continents." Finally, consider the case "this convert": His former religion calls for his death (now). Oh, what a heroic and historic witness at this Profession of Faith!

Deacon John C. Holoduek, West New York, New Jersey, USA

Asserting freedom of religion is provocative? What next? How more provocative can a Muslim scholar get? Where is the outrage of the Muslim scholars about the death sentences on the Muslims converting from Islam to other religions? How hypocritical!

Anthony, Calgary, Canada

I recall the French writer Roger Garaudy was received into Islam with great publicity in the central mosque in Paris some years ago. The imam in charge then joked that Garaudy, who had switched idelogies before, now would have a good reason to stick to his new faith, the penalty for apostasy in Islam, as we all know, being death.
Well, should Magdi Allam change his mind again in future, he will be free from that kind of worry!
Revd Frank Gelli

Revd Frank Gelli, Brentford, UK

It's not the fact that Allam converted that is the problem (although some frankly idiotic muslims might think so, and that's their loss) - it's the fact that the Pope made a huge spectacle of it. It smacks of him deliberately going out of his way to snub muslims by converting a prominent critic.

Brett, Salt Lake City, USA

I am outraged at the outrage. Why does shrieking always get coverage when self-control gets none. What I don't get is why there is not a continued coverage of abominable treatment of women by muslims in Europe. European liberals have little spine. They were once vocal about inequality but outright domination causes barely a patter. Why is it the conservative press that needs to point out these things?
Shia is a test of liberality but not by definitional subtleties. There is no greyness here so why the Silence?

Don, New York, New York

As a Catholic, I find it 'provocative' that many Muslims see conversion to another faith as worthy of punishment or death. A grown man, of his own free will converts to Christianity ... an act of free will. Is exercising 'free will' a provacative action?

C.r., cairns, australia

Muslims go about converting and building Mosques all over Europe and The West and this scholar is upset that a Muslim, of his own free will, accepted baptism by The Bishop of Rome. How Hypocritical!!! Maybe The west should put a tariff on Muslim places of worship and conversions to them as well.

Robert Sledz, Elk Grove Village, IL