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| Europe |
| Pope to meet King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia |
| 2007-11-01 |
| Pope Benedict XVI is to meet King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia next week in the first talks between a Saudi monarch and a Pope. The Vatican said the uprecedented meeting would take place at the Vatican on Tuesday. King Abdullah has been paying a visit to Britain as part of a European tour. The Pope has sought to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue, and last month October opened a three day inter faith conference at Naples which included Muslim representatives. The Vatican does not have formal diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, and relations have been strained, with the Holy See demanding "reciprocity" in religious observance. While Muslims are free to practice their faith in the West Christians are not given the same rights in Saudi Arabia. Bibles and crosses are confiscated at the border. From the Muslim point of view tensions were increased by the Pope himself last year after Benedict, speaking at Regensburg University in his native Bavaria, quoted from a Byzantine Emperor who had suggested Islam was inherently violent. He said he was misunderstood and later expressed his esteem for Muslims. Last month the Pope met the Saudi Foreign Minister at Castalgandolfo, his summer residence outside Rome, to discuss the Middle East and the "defence of religious and moral values". |
| Posted by:mrp |
| #8 "Repent in the name of Christ Jesus! The hour of your accounting is at hand!" Also, Benedict, carry that heavy stick we see you with. You might need it to knock some sense into his hard head. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2007-11-01 23:13 |
| #7 what will they talk about aside from theological trivia? 1. The upcoming Annapolis "thingie" and different KSA and Vatican views on Jerusalem 2. Vatican support for sanctions on Iran, the principle current threat to the Saudi Kingdom. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2007-11-01 16:14 |
| #6 Pope didnt ask for this, but how could he deny it? THe only thing he can do politically is nod and smile and speak platitudes until the damned heathen leaves. FANTASY: If he can get a private moment, he needs to tell this Wahabbist promoting mook that A) We Catholics are done giving ground so he batter back off B) He needs to open his country and come into the 21st Century and stop promoiting terroism and fascism of Wahhabists C) That previous pope was right when he said Islam had added NOTHING to the world. And smile one of those cold German smiles while saying it. Sort of like Patton with the Russians at the end of the mover "Patton". |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2007-11-01 14:52 |
| #5 Trying to sweet talk Rome out of a counter campaign based upon reciprocity for all the Wahhabi mosques popping up in none muzzie lands? Think the king is smart enough to grasp this is an issue to unite the last remaining real Christians [not to be confused with the limp wristed liberation-neomarxist-liberal version of Christianity - ie Church of England]? Wonder how many Protestant would take vows if the Pope offered to lead the fight the pols [not to be confused with the Poles] refuse to? I don't think the king wants to find out. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-11-01 13:50 |
| #4 The Vatican does not have formal diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, and relations have been strained, with the Holy See demanding "reciprocity" in religious observance. While Muslims are free to practice their faith in the West Christians are not given the same rights in Saudi Arabia. Bibles and crosses are confiscated at the border. Says it all re lack of Morals and hypocrisy of not just the Saudis but Muslims in general!!!! Muslims fear losing members of their faith alot more than Christians do!!!! I wonder why????? |
| Posted by: Paul 2007-11-01 13:31 |
| #3 This is a good sign. The King has asked for this audience not vice versa. Now what could be driving that? Think about it. What is it the King of Saudi Arabia needs from the head of the largest Christian religion in the world? Legitimacy? Confession, contriction and penance? A chance to compare notes on the Jooooos? Doubtful. I go for the legitimacy theory. |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2007-11-01 12:46 |
| #2 Your Holiness, please don't wimp out on us. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-11-01 12:24 |
| #1 It would be more interesting if the Pope was to meet King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia. |
| Posted by: Baba Tutu 2007-11-01 12:10 |