I am certain Francis’ response would be to offer the story of Bernadone’s meeting with Sultan of Egypt Malik al Kamil. It is unfortunate IMHO that the current Francis opted to follow Bernadone when the Church and Christendom needed Xavier. I hold nothing but good feelings for Bernadone, but these times require a saint made of sterner stuff.
Most people assume that Francisco Bernadone (St Francis of Assisi) opposed the Crusades. He did not. St. Francis specifically prayed for the success of the Crusades. He and his friars bore no weapons except the Scriptures and prayer — but they neither opposed nor condemned Christian knights with swords.
And nobody was made of “sterner stuff”.