Germany's Merkel defends Pope against critics

BERLIN, Sep 15 (Reuters) German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Pope Benedict XVI today against allegations that he had attacked Islam, saying critics had misunderstood comments the Pope made this week during a visit to his native Germany.

''Whoever criticises the Pope misunderstood the aim of his speech. It was an invitation to dialogue between religions and the Pope expressedly spoke in favour of this dialogue, which is something I also support and consider urgent and necessary,'' Merkel was quoted as saying by German newspaper Bild.

''What Benedict XVI emphasised was a decisive and uncompromising renunciation of all forms of violence in the name of religion,'' Merkel was quoted as saying in an article to appear tomorrow.

The Pope on Tuesday repeated criticism of the Prophet Mohammad by the 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who said everything Mohammad brought was evil ''such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached''.

The Pope, who used the terms ''jihad'' and ''holy war'' in his lecture, added ''violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul''.

Muslims around the world have deplored the Catholic leader's remarks and many say he should apologise in person to dispel the impression that he had joined a campaign against their religion.

The Pope, born in southern Germany with the name Josef Ratzinger, ended a 6-day visit to his native Bavaria yesterday.

Reuters SAM VP0002