Pope Meets With Muslim Envoys Over His Remarks

Reuters and Deutsche Welle are among those reporting that Pope Benedict XVI held a meeting today with the envoys of 22 Muslim countries plus the leaders of Italy's Muslim community in order to defuse Muslim anger over a speech he made in Regensburg, Germany on Sept. 12. During today's meeting at the Pope's summer residence in Castle Gondolfo, Benedict XVI urged a continuing dialogue between Christians and Muslims. He told the ambassadors: "I should like to reiterate all the esteem and the profound respect that I have for Muslim believers." Several of the envoys in attendance said they were satisfied with the meeting.