Pope Benedict XVI has made several efforts to alleviate the controversy caused by his remarks about Islam during a speech in Germany earlier this month. The citation which stoked controversy referred to a remark made by a 14th-Century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologos, who said, ?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? (source). The statement sparked a wave of outraged responses from the Muslim world, some apparently leading to the killing of an Italian nun in Somalia and attacks on Christian churches in Palestinian territories. Less violent protests also took place elsewhere and many Muslim leaders and scholars expressed harsh criticisms of the Pope?s speech.

The Pope explained that the quote was not meant to offend Islam and that it did not represent his personal feelings about the religion (source). He further affirmed, ?I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims.?