Pope Benedict expresses total and profound respect for Muslims - Irna

Pope Benedict expresses total and profound respect for Muslims - Irna:

"Pope Benedict XVI expressed 'total and profound respect for all Muslims' at a meeting Monday with ambassadors from Muslim nations and other Islamic leaders.

The meeting at the pope's summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, was called in an effort to repair relations following controversial comments he made earlier in the month.

Benedict told the envoys that 'our future' depends on dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

Among about 20 ambassadors attending the meeting were
representatives from Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey and Morocco -- as well as members of Italy's Muslim community.

Also presents were diplomats from Indonesia, where
Christian-Muslim tensions were further heightened last week by the execution of three Catholic militants.

Last month, Benedict had appealed for the men's lives to be spared.

Iraq's envoy to Vatican said after Monday's meeting with Benedict that 'it is now time to put what happened behind (us) and build bridges'."