Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VATICAN203
2006-09-21 16:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
VATICAN: MEDIA RESPONSE TO POPE'S RESPONSE ADDRESS
how-toVZCZCXRO6238 PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHROV #0203 2641649 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211649Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0493 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0521
UNCLAS VATICAN 000203
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IT VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN: MEDIA RESPONSE TO POPE'S RESPONSE ADDRESS
FAVORABLE
REF: A. VATICAN 199
B. VATICAN 201
UNCLAS VATICAN 000203
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IT VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN: MEDIA RESPONSE TO POPE'S RESPONSE ADDRESS
FAVORABLE
REF: A. VATICAN 199
B. VATICAN 201
1. September 21 reaction by Vatican-based media to Pope
Benedict's September 20th general audience remarks was strongly
positive. Most press outlets reported the pope used the
occasion to again express regret that his remarks on Islam had
been misunderstood and to emphasize his "profound respect for
Muslims." Many articles emphasized his effort to distance
himself from the citation of Byzantine Emperor Manuel II
Paleologus which had initially precipitated the strong reaction
from the Islamic world.
2. Some media outlets are reporting on September 21 that
reaction to the pope's initial address are lessening. Catholic
News Service reported on September 21 that he had hoped his
address in Regensburg would be viewed as "an encouragement to a
dialogue that is positive and also self-critical, both among
religions and between modern reason and the Christian faith."
Some media reported reaction from some quarters that the pope
had already gone as far as he should -- perhaps too far.
3. Meanwhile, the media also noted on September 21 that
"security around the Vatican was discreetly increased yesterday,
following vague threats made by extremist groups on Internet
sites recently. Concurrently, European papers reported on
September 21 that Mehmet Ali Agca--the imprisoned former member
of an extreme right-wing group in Turkey who attempted to
assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981--had warned Benedict XVI
not travel to Turkey in November "because his life would be at
risk."
4. Post looks forward to continued reporting from posts in
Muslim countries on the reaction there.
SANDROLINI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IT VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN: MEDIA RESPONSE TO POPE'S RESPONSE ADDRESS
FAVORABLE
REF: A. VATICAN 199
B. VATICAN 201
1. September 21 reaction by Vatican-based media to Pope
Benedict's September 20th general audience remarks was strongly
positive. Most press outlets reported the pope used the
occasion to again express regret that his remarks on Islam had
been misunderstood and to emphasize his "profound respect for
Muslims." Many articles emphasized his effort to distance
himself from the citation of Byzantine Emperor Manuel II
Paleologus which had initially precipitated the strong reaction
from the Islamic world.
2. Some media outlets are reporting on September 21 that
reaction to the pope's initial address are lessening. Catholic
News Service reported on September 21 that he had hoped his
address in Regensburg would be viewed as "an encouragement to a
dialogue that is positive and also self-critical, both among
religions and between modern reason and the Christian faith."
Some media reported reaction from some quarters that the pope
had already gone as far as he should -- perhaps too far.
3. Meanwhile, the media also noted on September 21 that
"security around the Vatican was discreetly increased yesterday,
following vague threats made by extremist groups on Internet
sites recently. Concurrently, European papers reported on
September 21 that Mehmet Ali Agca--the imprisoned former member
of an extreme right-wing group in Turkey who attempted to
assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981--had warned Benedict XVI
not travel to Turkey in November "because his life would be at
risk."
4. Post looks forward to continued reporting from posts in
Muslim countries on the reaction there.
SANDROLINI