Congress distances itself from papal remarks

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) The Congress today sought to distance itself from the controversy surrounding the reported remarks of Pope Benedict XVI about Islam, saying that one should be more careful in reacting to such issues.

"The Pope happens to be not only the leader of a religion but also the head of a state. Therefore, we feel we shoud be more careful. We should not hurt the feelings of one religion or the other," AICC spokesman Satyavrat Chaturvedi told mediapersons here.

"I would say that the Congress Party believes and adheres to mutual respect between religions," he said.

Asked if he was the opinion that the head of the Roman Catholic Church should apologise for the remarks, Mr Chaturvedi said "I leave this to the Pope...he will use his own wisdom." UNI SH VD DB1832