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Pope 'sorry' for offence to Islam Pope 'sorry' for offence to Islam
(about 1 hour later)
Pope Benedict XVI has said he is sorry that a speech in which he referred to Islam has offended Muslims.Pope Benedict XVI has said he is sorry that a speech in which he referred to Islam has offended Muslims.
In a statement read out by a senior Vatican official, the Pope said he respected Islam and hoped Muslims would understand the true sense of his words.In a statement read out by a senior Vatican official, the Pope said he respected Islam and hoped Muslims would understand the true sense of his words.
In Tuesday's speech the Pope quoted a 14th Century Christian emperor who said the Prophet Muhammad had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things.In Tuesday's speech the Pope quoted a 14th Century Christian emperor who said the Prophet Muhammad had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things.
The remarks prompted protests from Muslims around the world.The remarks prompted protests from Muslims around the world.
The Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may have sounded offensive to the sensibilities of Muslim believers Tarcisio BertoneVatican secretary of state Pope reacts: Full textThe Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may have sounded offensive to the sensibilities of Muslim believers Tarcisio BertoneVatican secretary of state Pope reacts: Full text
Political and religious leaders in Muslim countries criticised the remarks and called for the pontiff to make a personal apology.
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says the speed with which the Vatican has reacted shows just how seriously it views the situation.The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says the speed with which the Vatican has reacted shows just how seriously it views the situation.
Reading the statement, new Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said the Pope's position on Islam was in line with Vatican teaching that the Church "esteems Muslims, who adore the only God".Reading the statement, new Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said the Pope's position on Islam was in line with Vatican teaching that the Church "esteems Muslims, who adore the only God".
"The Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may have sounded offensive to the sensibilities of Muslim believers," the statement said."The Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may have sounded offensive to the sensibilities of Muslim believers," the statement said.
But Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said the statement did not go far enough and called on the pontiff to apologise in person.
"The Vatican Secretary of State says that the Pope is sorry because his statements had been badly interpreted, but there is no bad interpretation," Abdel Moneim Abul Futuh, a senior official from the opposition party told AFP.
Turkey concernsTurkey concerns
Our correspondent says the statement goes as far as it can towards an apology.Our correspondent says the statement goes as far as it can towards an apology.
HAVE YOUR SAY Pope Benedict probably should self-criticise Christianity's violent past before commenting on the other faith John Lin, Illinois Send us your comments Key excerpts: Pope's speech In quotes: Muslim reactionHAVE YOUR SAY Pope Benedict probably should self-criticise Christianity's violent past before commenting on the other faith John Lin, Illinois Send us your comments Key excerpts: Pope's speech In quotes: Muslim reaction
But the Pope is known to have strong feelings about the relationship between religion and violence and is unlikely to retract the sentiment of his speech. But the Pope is known to have strong feelings about the relationship between religion and violence and is thought unlikely to retract the sentiment of his speech.
There will still be concerns about whether to go ahead with the Pope's planned visit to Turkey in November, our correspondent says.There will still be concerns about whether to go ahead with the Pope's planned visit to Turkey in November, our correspondent says.
Some commentators in Rome have suggested it may be useful for his lecture to be translated into Arabic, so that people can make their own judgement and see for themselves in what context the quote was made. The BBC's David Willey in Rome says Pope Benedict, a theologian who has led a sheltered life in the Vatican for more than two decades, may not have understood the potential implications of his remarks.
Reactions to the speech have come from such leaders as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who said efforts to link Islam and terrorism should be clearly opposed. He says the Cardinal Bertone, the newly-appointed top Vatican official, faces the task of serious damage control in the coming days.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Pope should not underestimate the sense of outrage felt by Muslims. Security at the Vatican is being stepped up, although the pontiff remains closeted with his closest advisers at his summer villa at Castelgandolfo near Rome.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel came to the pontiff's defence, saying the aim of the speech had been misunderstood.
ProtestsProtests
In his speech at Regensburg University on Tuesday, the German-born Pope explored the historical and philosophical differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith. In his speech at Regensburg University on Tuesday, the German-born Pope quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Orthodox Christian Byzantine Empire.
Stressing that they were not his own words, he quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul. Protests have remained peaceful and small-scaleStressing that they were not his own words, he quoted the emperor saying: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
Protests have remained peaceful and small-scaleThe emperor's words were, he said: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." He also said that violence was "incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul".
Benedict said "I quote" twice to stress the words were not his and added that violence was "incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul". Reactions to the speech have come from such leaders as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who said efforts to link Islam and terrorism should be clearly opposed.
The speech provoked criticism from around the world, and there were street protests in Pakistan, India, Turkey and Gaza on Friday. Street protests have been held in Pakistan, India, Turkey and Gaza.
In the West Bank city of Nablus, two churches - one Anglican and one Orthodox - were attacked with firebombs on Saturday by assailants. In the West Bank city of Nablus, two churches were firebombed on Saturday in attacks claimed by a group which said it was protesting against the Pope's remarks.
A group which said it carried out the attacks, calling itself the Lions of Monotheism, said they were protesting against the Pope's remarks. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel has come to the pontiff's defence, saying the aim of the speech had been misunderstood.