Pope invites Muslim leaders to talks

VATICAN CITY, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI has invited Muslim leaders to his summer home for talks aimed at smoothing relations after a speech given by the pontiff sparked outrage.

The Vatican said the Roman Catholic leader would explain at the talks, which are scheduled for Monday at the pope's Castel Gandolfo summer residence outside Rome, that his comments had been misunderstood, the BBC reported Friday. Muslim leaders from Italy and ambassadors from abroad have been invited to participate in the discussion.

The pope has said his statements, quotes from 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologos describing some teachings of the Prophet Mohammed as "evil and inhuman," were meant to "explain that religion and violence do not go together but religion and reason do." He has made three statements since the offending incident proclaiming his "deep respect" for Islam.