Pope condemns religious violence

Pope Benedict XVI has urged religious leaders of all faiths to “utterly refuse” to support any form of violence in the name of faith, while Turkey’s top Muslim cleric complained to the pontiff of a growing “Islamophobia” in the world.

As he began his first visit to a Muslim country Tuesday – a trip that drew extraordinary security but few onlookers – Benedict sought a careful balance as he held out a hand of friendship and “brotherhood” to Muslims, hoping to end the outcry from many Muslims over his recent remarks linking Islam to violence.