Pope Benedict XVI Reaches Out To The Muslim World

In the midst of his visit to the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI has made comments of hope and respect for Muslim-Christian relations. The Arab News reports that he spoke of his "deep respect for the Muslim community" and hope for further understanding of "the virtues proclaimed by Islam."

These words are quite different from those of his 2006 lecture, when Benedict quoted a 14th-century Byzantine text which criticized Islam and the Prophet Muhammad with these words: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." With this visit, the Pope seems to want to reconcile and set a new tone.

The About.com Guide to Middle East Issues, Pierre Tristam (himself a Catholic Arab) questions whether or not the Pope can be relevant in the Middle East. Would he be able to open doors and initiate dialogue about the real heart of the Middle East conflict, which is the Israeli occupation? In today's speeches, the Pope acknowledged the emigration of Christians from the Holy Land, encouraging them to remain faithful and strong. Does he realize that many of those who left are educated Christian Palestinians who have moved to Europe or North America to escape the chokehold of Israeli occupation?

The Pope is visiting Christian sites in the country of Jordan before continuing on to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories beginning on Monday.

Photo: Pope Benedict XVI and Jordanian Prince Ghazi Bin Talal arrive at the King Hussein bin Talal Mosque on May 9, 2009 in Amman, Jordan. (Carsten Koall/Getty Images)