Pope, Blair agree dialogue needed with Islam

VATICAN CITY, June 3 (Reuters) Pope Benedict and British Prime Minister Tony Blair today agreed on the importance of dialogue between faiths and cultures to tackle terrorism.

Blair and Benedict, holding talks for the first time since Benedict's election last year, spoke privately in the Pontiff's study for about 40 minutes, a Downing Street spokesman said.

''The prime minister and the Pope talked about the challenges of globalisation and the importance of dialogue between the faiths to battle extremism and terrorism,'' he said.

''One of the themes of discussion was how the moderate voices in all the world's major religions need to stand up to religious extremism in all its forms,'' he added.

He said Blair, who is Anglican, saw the Roman Catholic Church as an ''important partner in the dialogue''.

A Vatican statement said both sides ''underscored the contribution that common values among religions can make to dialogue, particularly with moderate Islam, above all in the areas of solidarity and peace''.

Concern over dialogue with Islam is a common theme that has linked Benedict and Blair recently.

In speeches in Britain, the United States and Australia recently, Blair has stressed the role that religions, inter-faith dialogue and global alliances can play in making cultures understand each other better in a post-September 11 world.

In its search for better relations with the Islamic world, the Roman Catholic Church is turning a spotlight on the role that culture can play in fostering understanding between peoples of different faiths.

The British spokesman said the two men also discussed Africa ''at some length'' and China, where the communist government does not allow the local Catholic Church to recognise the Pope. The Vatican said they also discussed Northern Ireland.

After the private part of the audience, the Pope met Blair's wife, Cherie, who is a practising Roman Catholic.

The British media have for years been speculating that Blair might convert to Catholicism when he leaves office, but British officials say the prime minister's faith is a private matter.

Before leaving, the Blairs paid their respects at the tomb of the late Pope John Paul, who tried to convince the prime minister in February 2003 to ''avert the tragedy of war'' in Iraq.

The British media reported before the meeting that Blair might invite the Pope to visit Britain. Government sources said there already was an ''open invitation'' for the Pope to visit but would not speculate on when it could take place.

REUTERS SHB RAI2013