Pope to meet Islamic ambassadors

Italian newspapers have recently mentioned the possibility of such a meeting to allow the pope to explain his recent controversial remarks.

Pope Benedict XVI will meet on Monday with the ambassadors of Muslim countries and the leaders of the Muslim community in Italy amid the uproar over his remarks seen as linking Islam to violence, the

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Ansa

news agency said.

The meeting is to take place at Castel Gandolfo, the pope's summer residence outside of Rome, the agency said on Friday.

Italian newspapers have recently mentioned the possibility of such a meeting to allow the pope to explain his recent controversial remarks.

The comments sparked several days of protests in Muslim countries, prompting the pontiff to say he was "deeply sorry" for any offence and attributing Muslim anger over his speech to an "unfortunate misunderstanding.