There is a brewing controversy over a speech given by the Pope earlier this week during his visit to Germany, during which he discussed the concept of holy war. Muslim leaders around the world have called for an apology for what they view as an insult to Muslims and the Prophet Muhammad.
The speech, available in full on the Vatican website, is a nuanced theological treatise of almost 4,000 words, exploring the relationship between religion and reason. The controversial passage is a brief excerpt quoting a 14th century Byzantine emperor who holds forth to a Muslim interlocutor on holy war and "the relationship between religion and violence in general".
"Show me just what Mohammed 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".
Those who defend the Pope point out that he was quoting the emperor Manuel II Paleologus rather than expressing his own views; and that the brief passage that has hit the headlines forms only a small part of the speech and has been taken out of its wider context. Others contend that whatever the context, it's not surprising that the comment about Islam has caused offence, and that at the very least a papal media adviser should be in line for a stiff talking to.
When the topic came up in the Guardian's news conference this morning at least one commentator expressed the view that the incident has the makings of another Muhammad cartoons row. Whatever your view, the row will certainly do nothing to ease tensions ahead of the Pope's Turkey visit in November - his first to a predominantly Muslim country.
