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He is the patron of numerous dioceses; shrines and churches are dedicated to him, beginning with the ‘mother of all’ churches, St. John Lateran, built by Constantine. The name John—translated in every language—is the most common in the world. Many cities and countries were named after him (128 in Italy, 213 in France). The Baptist is also loved by the Muslims. They named the famous Umayyad Mosque of Damascus, a symbol of interfaith dialogue, after him. How do we explain this sympathy?