Holy War?

Muslims around the world, taking to the streets in protest against last week's remarks on Islam by Pope Benedict the Sixteenth
Protesters in southern Iraq burn the pope in effigy demanding an apology from the Vatican for remarks made by Pope Benedict the 16th.
Across the middle east, Muslims were outraged, because the pope read from a 14th century text--- the words equated Islam with violence.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed deep regret over the comments saying such words could spread pessimism and spite between christian and muslim nations.

In the West Bank, two churches were fire-bombed bringing the number of churches attacked in the Palestinian territory to seven. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said the outrage was justified, but predicted the fury would pass.
On Sunday, Pope Benedict the 16th said he was sorry his remarks inflamed Muslims world wide, but no apology from the Pontiff. Benedict said his reference to a 14th century text, equating islam with violence did not reflect his own personal beliefs.

During his 17-month papacy, Pope Benedict has lectured Muslims on the need to teach their young to shun violence, suggested that violent as well as peaceful strains are part of Islam and pressed for religious freedom - part of efforts to extend rights to Christians in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East.
While Benedict's comments on Islam and holy war may not have been "politically correct," said former Vatican diplomat John-Peter Pham, "today much of our dialogue is fruitless because we feel constrained from saying what we really think."

Police across Italy were ordered to step up security out of concern for attacks against Roman Catholic sites.

And in Somolia, a nun working in a children's hospital was shot dead in an apparent retaliation. Witnesses say, the nun's last words were forgiving her attackers.