July 25, 2005
Pope Won't Condemn Islam Over Bombings ASSOCIATED PRESS
LES COMBES, Italy (AP) -
Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he did not see an anti-Christian motive in the recent wave of terrorist attacks blamed on Islamic extremists, attributing them instead to "a much more general intention."
The pontiff also told reporters it was important to seek dialogue with the best elements of Islam.
He spoke while on vacation in the Italian Alps after visiting a church, brushing off a question about whether he believed Islam was a religion of peace.
"I wouldn't want to label (it)," he said. "Certainly there are elements that favor peace. It also has other elements."
Benedict said last week that terrorism is not the result of a clash between the West and Islam but the action of "fanatics."
The pope's spokesman said Sunday that Benedict was placing immense importance on a meeting with Muslims in Cologne, Germany, while he is in his homeland next month to lead the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day.
Benedict, who is approaching 100 days in the papacy, also was asked if he found it difficult being pontiff.
"In a certain sense yes, because I never thought about this ministry," he said. "But it has gone well, also because the people have been good with me."
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Pope Won't Condemn Islam Over Bombings ASSOCIATED PRESS
LES COMBES, Italy (AP) -
Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he did not see an anti-Christian motive in the recent wave of terrorist attacks blamed on Islamic extremists, attributing them instead to "a much more general intention."
The pontiff also told reporters it was important to seek dialogue with the best elements of Islam.
He spoke while on vacation in the Italian Alps after visiting a church, brushing off a question about whether he believed Islam was a religion of peace.
"I wouldn't want to label (it)," he said. "Certainly there are elements that favor peace. It also has other elements."
Benedict said last week that terrorism is not the result of a clash between the West and Islam but the action of "fanatics."
The pope's spokesman said Sunday that Benedict was placing immense importance on a meeting with Muslims in Cologne, Germany, while he is in his homeland next month to lead the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day.
Benedict, who is approaching 100 days in the papacy, also was asked if he found it difficult being pontiff.
"In a certain sense yes, because I never thought about this ministry," he said. "But it has gone well, also because the people have been good with me."
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