Blogging for America

The Pope supposedly trying to engender dialogue between Christians and Muslims chose to do so using a very provocative method: he chose a 14th century text (not a period known for enlighten thought) which said that " Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached" (Paleogogus, as used by the Pope on Tuesday in the opening of his address).
Muslims were outraged. So the Pope then issues this:
"I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages in my address which were considerd offensive. " (Pope Benedict XVI , Castel Gandolfo, 9/17/06).

This is a non-apology. He is not sorry for what he said, he is sorry for the reaction.
If one starts with an address with a series of egregious statements, do you think it is going to open dialogue?

One is also reminded that the Christians, too, spread their word with the sword: the crusades, inquisitions, pogroms...and a couple of wars.

Unfortunately, the Pope did not enter the dialogue with much forethought or continue it with much afterthought.