Pope Meets With Muslims

Pope Benedict XVI met with representatives from Muslim majority 21 countries and the Arab League today. He appears, from initial reports at least, not to have apologized but instead used the meeting to call for reciprocity in all fields and religious freedom.

The pontiff quoted from his predecessor, John Paul II, who had close relations with the Muslim world, when he described the need for "reciprocity in all fields," including religious freedom. Benedict spoke in French to a roomful of diplomats from 21 countries and the Arab League in his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo in the Alban Hills near Rome.

After his five-minute speech in a salon in the papal palace, Benedict greeted each envoy individually, clasping their hands warmly and chatting for a few moments with every one.

"The circumstances which have given risen to our gathering are well known," Benedict said, referring to his remarks on Islam in a Sept. 12 speech at Regensburg, Germany. He did not address those remarks at length.

Well, he aimed to start a dialog. Let's see what happens.