Pope to give audience to Muslim leaders

Pope Benedict XVI will meet representatives of Muslim countries on Monday, the Vatican said today.

The Pope will give an audience to ambassadors to the Holy See of predominantly Muslim countries at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

The Vatican has been seeking to defuse anger across the Muslim world that followed remarks about Islam by the Pope in Germany last week.

Benedict said he was “deeply sorry” about the reactions to his remarks and that they did not reflect his own opinions.

Also expected to take part in the audience is a Muslim council that advised the Italian government on integration issues, the ANSA news agency said.

In a September 12 address at the University of Regensburg, Benedict cited the words of a Byzantine emperor who characterised some of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed as “evil and inhuman,” particularly “his command to spread by the sword the faith”.

Earlier this week, Benedict said his comments were open to misinterpretation and that he had “deep respect” for Islam.

Amid fury in the Muslim world, the Vatican also ordered Papal representatives around the world to meet with leaders of Muslim countries to explain the Pope’s point of view and full context of his speech.