Pope Benedict Clarifies Regensburg Remarks, Reaffirms Respect for Islam

Pope Benedict XVI used his weekly address to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square in September 2006 to reflect on his recent pastoral visit to Bavaria and to address the controversy surrounding a speech he delivered at the University of Regensburg, where he had taught for several years.

The pope said a quotation he included during remarks on the relationship between faith and reason had been widely misunderstood. He stressed that his intention was to argue that religion and reason belong together, not religion and violence.

Benedict stated that his deep respect for Islam and for Muslims, who "worship the one God," was genuine, and he called for continued dialogue between world religions and between modern reason and the Christian faith.

The Vatican released a condensed translation of his Italian and French remarks. The address also referenced Nostra Aetate, a 1965 Catholic Church document that established the church's formal relations with non-Christian religions.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.