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Muslims Deplore Remarks by Pope Benedict
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=13F9209:A6F02AD83191E1603B9F47D7A485069E9574F7DCC14957C0 Pope sorry comments
interpreted as offensive to Islam







Pope Benedict XVI, left, accompanied by his brother Georg Ratzinger as
he visits St. Oswald church, Sept. 11, 2006Pope Benedict says he is
upset that a speech he gave this week offended Muslims.

The pope said Saturday he is very sorry that his comments were
interpreted as offensive to Islam.

Benedict has received widespread criticism from Muslim leaders for his
remarks Tuesday linking Islam with violence. In a speech to academics
in Germany, Benedict quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor as saying
the Prophet Muhammad brought "only evil and inhuman things," such as
holy war.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today the pope
should not "take lightly" the spread of outrage that has been created.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says the pope's comments were a
"great mistake."

Muslim leaders elsewhere, including Pakistan, Iraq and Turkey, have
also denounced the pope's comments.

The Vatican says Pope Benedict respects Islam and did not intend to
offend anyone.



Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.


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