The Vatican mobilized its network of ambassadors to Muslim-majority countries in September 2006 to provide context for Pope Benedict XVI's controversial speech, which had provoked widespread anger across the Muslim world. Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone announced the effort in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
Bertone, who had assumed his post only days earlier, said the papal nuncios were instructed to present the full text of the speech to both political and religious leaders, drawing attention to sections that had been overlooked amid the uproar. He characterized the pope's words as having been distorted through selective reporting.
Benedict had expressed deep regret on Sunday for the reaction his university address generated, clarifying that the passages he cited did not reflect his own views and that the speech was intended as a call for candid interfaith dialogue built on mutual respect.
The controversy raised questions about the pope's planned visit to Türkiye in November. Bertone said the first organizational meeting of the Turkish bishops' conference regarding the trip was scheduled for Tuesday, adding that no decision had been made to cancel it.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.