” “"I by no means intended to subscribe to the negative words said by the Mediaeval Emperor in this conversation. Their controversial content does not express my personal belief. My intention was quite different: starting from what Manuel II says afterwards, in a positive manner, using a very fine word, about the sensibility that must inspire the transmission of the faith, I meant to express that not religion and violence, but religion and reason go together". With these words, followed by a powerful applause from the 20 thousand people attending the audience, Benedict XVI mentioned, today, his recent journey to Bavaria and his "inaugural lecture” at Regensburg University on September 12th, which contained the "misunderstood" quotation of the conversation between the Byzantine Emperor and a learned Persian about Christianity and Islam. "I meant to boost the dialogue of the Christian faith with the modern world and the dialogue of all cultures and religions added the Pontiff. I hope, on several occasions during my visit for instance, when in Munich I highlighted how important it is to respect what is sacred to others my deep respect for the great religions and in particular for the Muslims, who worship the only God and with whom we are committed to defend and promote, together, social justice, moral values, peace and freedom for all men, has clearly come to the fore". "Therefore, I trust he concluded that, after the first reactions, my words at Regensburg University may boost and encourage a favourable, even self-critical, dialogue between religions, as well as between modern reason and the faith of Christians".” “
