Feb 9, 7:37 AM (ET)
By Steve Holland
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict received U.S. First Lady Laura Bush on Thursday and told her that he was worried about terrorism around the world and violence sparked by the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.
"He talked to me about the worries of terrorism, the worries right now about the violence in Beirut, Damascus and other cities," she told reporters after the meeting the Pope.
"His hope and certainly our hope (is) for peace and tolerance for each of us, to treat everyone else with respect," she said.
Angry Muslims have demonstrated around the world over the cartoons, first published in Denmark, then Norway and several other countries in Europe and elsewhere.
The caricatures, including one showing the Prophet Mohammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban, have unleashed fury among many Muslims who consider any portrayal of their prophet as blasphemous, let alone one showing him as a terrorist.
The Vatican has already condemned the cartoons.
"I know that Muslims are offended with these cartoons. I understand their offence (but) on the other hand I don't think violence is the answer. I think everyone around the world needs to speak out and say 'lets stop the violence,"' she said.
The Pope told Mrs Bush that he hoped her stay in Italy for the start of the winter Olympics would be peaceful.
"We hope you will have a peaceful time," the Pope told Mrs Bush and her daughter Barbara when he welcomed them into his private study in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.
Mrs Bush and Barbara, 24, are in Italy as head of the official U.S. delegation to the Turin games, which start on Friday.
The First Lady, Barbara and Francis Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, spoke privately for about 15 minutes in the Pope's study.
At the picture taking session afterwards Mrs Bush gave the Pope a silver bowl and he gave his visitors rosary beads and medals of his pontificate.
Mrs Bush is due to have lunch with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and visit a Rome hospital before heading to Turin for the start of the games.
She will also visit U.S. military personnel stationed at the Aviano air base in the north before returning to the United States.
By Steve Holland
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict received U.S. First Lady Laura Bush on Thursday and told her that he was worried about terrorism around the world and violence sparked by the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.
"He talked to me about the worries of terrorism, the worries right now about the violence in Beirut, Damascus and other cities," she told reporters after the meeting the Pope.
"His hope and certainly our hope (is) for peace and tolerance for each of us, to treat everyone else with respect," she said.
Angry Muslims have demonstrated around the world over the cartoons, first published in Denmark, then Norway and several other countries in Europe and elsewhere.
The caricatures, including one showing the Prophet Mohammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban, have unleashed fury among many Muslims who consider any portrayal of their prophet as blasphemous, let alone one showing him as a terrorist.
The Vatican has already condemned the cartoons.
"I know that Muslims are offended with these cartoons. I understand their offence (but) on the other hand I don't think violence is the answer. I think everyone around the world needs to speak out and say 'lets stop the violence,"' she said.
The Pope told Mrs Bush that he hoped her stay in Italy for the start of the winter Olympics would be peaceful.
"We hope you will have a peaceful time," the Pope told Mrs Bush and her daughter Barbara when he welcomed them into his private study in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.
Mrs Bush and Barbara, 24, are in Italy as head of the official U.S. delegation to the Turin games, which start on Friday.
The First Lady, Barbara and Francis Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, spoke privately for about 15 minutes in the Pope's study.
At the picture taking session afterwards Mrs Bush gave the Pope a silver bowl and he gave his visitors rosary beads and medals of his pontificate.
Mrs Bush is due to have lunch with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and visit a Rome hospital before heading to Turin for the start of the games.
She will also visit U.S. military personnel stationed at the Aviano air base in the north before returning to the United States.
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