Posted on 09/20/2006 6:55:58 PM PDT by blam
Pope defies death threats to greet pilgrims
By Malcolm Moore in Rome
(Filed: 21/09/2006)
Pope Benedict greeted 150,000 pilgrims in St Peter's Square yesterday in an open-top vehicle, as he defied death threats from al Qa'eda over his controversial speech in Germany last week.
The Pope did not alter his usual routine of driving around to greet the crowd, and did not use the bullet-proof "Popemobile" that has been increasingly deployed since the attack on John Paul II in 1981.
Guards escort the Pope as he is driven past 150,000 pilgrims in St Peter’s Square. People were security checked before going into the piazza
However, security at St Peter's was particularly tight, and every person entering the main piazza was checked thoroughly. Benedict told the cheering crowd that he had a "deep respect" for Islam, but did not offer any further apology for his words in Germany.
"I hope that in several occasions during the visit my deep respect for great religions, in particular for Muslims, who worship the same God, has emerged clearly," the Pope said.
He added that his quotation of a Byzantine emperor who called Islam "evil and inhuman" was unfortunate, since "it lent itself to be misunderstood".
However, the Pope appeared to take a tough line over the sometimes aggressive Muslim reaction to his speech. He hoped, he said, that his words would encourage a "self-critical" dialogue between Christians and Muslims.
"I wished to explain that not religion and violence, but religion and reason go together," he said. At the end of his address, Benedict remained on the podium for half an hour to greet worshippers, while African dancers waved green, yellow and red flags.
Despite the Pope's refusal to apologise again, the furore in the Muslim world appeared to have abated yesterday. One prominent Muslim even suggested that some Middle Eastern governments were responsible for the violent protests and that he was surprised by their intensity.
"Certain governments exploit this kind of crisis to enable a frustrated public to let off steam," Tariq Ramadan, a fellow at Oxford University, wrote in an opinion piece for Le Temps, a Swiss newspaper.
" The majority have not read the text," he said, adding that "these angry crowds give the impression that there is no debate among Muslims".
The Vatican is now expected to invite ambassadors from Islamic countries that recognise the Holy See to a meeting this week or the beginning of the next. However, a source said the meeting was not to explain the Pope's words, but would merely be "a gesture of friendship".
Morocco, which recalled its ambassador to the Vatican in protest, has reinstated him. King Mohammed recalled Ali Achour on Sunday and sent a letter to the Pope demanding that he show more respect for Islam.
The country's foreign ministry said yesterday that Mr Achour "will return this morning to Rome to resume his duties".
Meanwhile, a court in Rome ordered an investigation into threats against the Pope made on several internet sites.
Man,,,does the Pope wanta be dead?
This newspaper just issued an invite for someone to do something terrible.
Considering that a muslim once shot a Pope, it makes you wonder....
So serious,in fact,that nobody should be surprised if something happens very soon.
If the Muslims are upset about the Pope's comments, they have no earthly idea of what hurting a Pope would result in.
It is as if the Pope is defying them to hurt him. I have a bad feelling about this.
Not good.
Brave man
More imprecision designed to inflame the Mohammedans. Emperor Manuel II did not call Islam 'evil and inhuman', he only challenged his debating partner to show anything *new* in Mohammed's teachings which was not evil and inhuman.
I would be shocked, even reading this. I cannot believe the horrible would happen. And I am not Catholic.
It's worrying, but take another look at that photo. I wouldn't want to be the guy who pulled a gun on those guards!
I trust that God will guard him. God's will be done.
Probably not at this moment, but I doubt he's very worried about it.
Regarding this entire issue, people are forgetting that he is the Pope. His actions are not supposed to reflect man's wishes, but God's.
What an amazing man he is.
Are those guards armed?? With what??
I'm not a catholic, but admire the guy.
Papa has a big pair!! VIVA!!!
The times of the Spanish Inquisition were brutal but resulted in the "Reformation". Islam has never undergone such a reformation, and maybe unable to with stand serious introspection
You are correct Sir
Just look at the way they are poised, the way they're standing. Look at the way they're holding their hands. I'm sure there's a pistol handy under every jacket.
Usually the Pope has Swiss Guards with halberds, but I daresay those fellows carry pistols these days, too. It's part of the job.
I have noted in the last few days that a few voices of moderation are surfacing, just a few.
But I haven't been impressed with any abilities to be self critical among the screaming masses.
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