Pope "sorry" speech offended Muslims - Vatican

ROME, Sep 16 (Reuters) Pope Benedict told Muslims today he was sorry they had found his speech on Islam offensive, expressing his respect for their faith and hoping they would understand the ''true sense'' of his words.

''The Holy Father is very sorry that some passages of his speech may have sounded offensive to the sensibilities of Muslim believers,'' Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said in a statement.

REUTERS SY RK1705