Pope to meet Muslim ambassadors
By Pamela Quest,WNS Rome Correspondent
ROME - The Pope has invited envoys of Muslim nations for talks on Monday to try to smooth relations following a speech that offended the Islamic world. The talks at Pope Benedict XVI's summer residence will aim to explain that the pontiff's recent speech in Germany has been misunderstood, the Vatican said. The pontiff has said three times that he regrets the offence caused, expressing "deep respect" for Islam. Muslim leaders have been demanding an unequivocal apology from the Pope.
The pontiff invited Muslim ambassadors and leaders of Italy's Muslim community to his residence of Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, the Vatican said. On Wednesday, the Pope told pilgrims at the Vatican that his remarks in Bavaria last week had been "misunderstood". He said his use of medieval quotes from 14th Century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologos, which criticised some teachings of the Prophet Mohammed as "evil and inhuman", did not reflect his personal opinion. The Pope said his real intention had been to "explain that religion and violence do not go together but religion and reason do".
posted by wnsworld @ 10:33 AM
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