In a theological lecture on September 12, the pope cited a Byzantine emperor's criticism of the Prophet Muhammad and jihad (holy war).
A thematic webpage devoted to issues of religious tolerance in RFE/RL's broadcast region and around the globe.
Pakistan's parliament adopted a unanimous resolution calling on the pope to retract the remarks. There was also criticism from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.
And the chairman of one of Indonesia's biggest Islamic organizations, Din Syamsuddin of Muhammadiyah, said the statement reflected what he called the pope's lack of wisdom.
Other Muslim leaders have asked that the pope apologize for his remarks.
The Vatican has said that the pontiff had not meant to offend Muslims.
(AFP, dpa, AP, Reuters)
Religion And Tolerance
Religion And Tolerance
A thematic webpage devoted to issues of religious tolerance in RFE/RL's broadcast region and around the globe.
