Pope 'deeply sorry' for offending Muslims

CASTEL GANDOLFO: Pope Benedict XVI has apologised in person for causing offence to Muslims in a speech in Bavaria last week.

The Pope said on Sunday he was "deeply sorry" at the anger caused by his remarks on Islam and said a quote he used from a medieval text about holy wars did not reflect his personal thoughts.   

He voiced his regret during the traditional Angelus blessing from the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo -- his first public appearance since a speech he gave in Germany last week that implicitly linked Islam and violence.

"...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," he told pilgrims at his Castelgandolfo summer residence.   

"These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought. I hope this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with mutual respect," he said.

It was not immediately clear if the apology would go far enough for Muslim countries and religious groups who remained angry at what they said portrayed Islam as a religion tainted with violence.

Earlier on Saturday, the head of the Roman Catholic Church had "sincerely regretted" that he may have offended Muslims, but stopped short of retracting his words.     

But his statement that he regretted causing any offence to Muslims fell short of an apology, Islamic groups said, as Morocco became the first Muslim country to recall its Vatican ambassador on Sunday.

Morocco's foreign ministry announced that its ambassador would be recalled effective Sunday for consultation on the instructions of King Mohammed VI after "offensive remarks about Islam and Muslims made by Pope Benedict XVI at Regensburg University on September 12".           

Benedict XVI' had made the remarks during a speech at Regensburg University in Germany. His address painted Islam in a violent light, particularly with reference to jihad or "holy war".     

The Pope also quoted a 14th-century Byzantine emperor who said innovations introduced by the Prophet Mohammed were "evil and inhuman.