St. Francis was a man of action. He took a trip to Damietta, Egypt in 1219, during the Fifth Crusade to either convert the (Muslim) Sultan, Malik al-Kamil, to Christ or be martyred trying. He, along with his traveling companion Brother Illuminato, were dispatched by Pope Honorius IV in 1219. According to his biographer, his intention was to convert the Sultan, not have an "open" and congenial discussion. After Francis and Illuminato had been captured, threatened with decapitation, and then led into the presence of the sultan, he promptly asked Francis if he wished to become a Saracen (Muslim). Francis responded he did not come to convert to the religion of Mohammed, but instead had come to present the sultan’s soul to God on behalf of Christ. After consulting with his advisers, it was determined that the brothers were to be beheaded according to their law. However, because the Sultan liked St. Francis he gave him his freedom and had his guards escort him back to the Christian camp. He offered St. Francis gold, silver, and precious cloth, but he refused it all saying that the only precious thing he could have taken to God was the Sultan's soul.
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