Speaking this week at his Wednesday audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict XVI
again attempted to clarify his controversial use of a quotation about Islam from a 14th century Byzantine emperor in remarks he made
last week at the University of Regensburg in Germany.
Zenit reports the text of his Wednesday statement:
For the careful reader of my text, it is clear that I did not wish at any time to make my own the negative words uttered by the medieval emperor in this dialogue and that its controversial content does not express my personal conviction.... I wished to invite the Christian faith to dialogue with the modern world and to dialogue with all cultures and religions.
He said that he has tried to make clear his
deep respect for the great religions, in particular for Muslims -- who 'adore the one God' and with whom we are engaged in "preserving and promoting together for all mankind social justice, moral values, peace and freedom."
