King’s papal visit to foster ‘honest dialogue’

KING ABDULLAH II of Jordan paid Pope Benedict XVI a visit yesterday, saying he wanted to foster an honest dialogue between the West and moderate Islam.

King Abdullah and his wife, Queen Rania, called on the Pope at his papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

In a letter published in an Italian newspaper yesterday, King Abdullah appealed to the world to reject attempts by extremists to drive Islam and the West to a clash of civilisations.