Pope Benedict XVI told Muslim diplomats yesterday that "our future" depends on good relations between Christians and Muslims as he sought to put to rest anger over his recent remarks about Islam and violence.
The pontiff also quoted from his predecessor, John Paul II, who had close relations with the Muslim world, calling for "reciprocity in all fields," including religious freedom. Benedict spoke in French to a roomful of diplomats from 21 countries and the Arab League in his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome.
After his five-minute speech, in a salon in the papal palace in the Alban Hills, Benedict greeted each envoy individually. He clasped their hands warmly and chatted for a few moments with each of the diplomats.
"The circumstances which have given rise to our gathering are well known," Benedict said, referring to his remarks on Islam in a Sept. 12 speech at Regensburg, Germany. He did not dwell on the contested remarks, which set off protests around the Muslim world.
Iraq's ambassador to the Holy See said that Benedict's address to the envoys should put an end to the anger over the pontiff's remarks on Islam and violence.
"The Holy Father stated his profound respect for Islam. This is what we were expecting," said Iraqi envoy Albert Edward Ismail Yelda as he left the half-hour long meeting. "It is now time to put what happened behind us and build bridges."
When the protests started flaring, Benedict offered deep regrets for offense felt by Muslims and insisted his remarks did not reflect his own opinion and were misunderstood. He stopped short of a full apology that some Muslim leaders demanded.
Addressing the diplomats, he said that Christians and Muslims must work together to "guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence."
He said that he had arranged the meeting to "strengthen the bonds of friendship" between both sides.
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