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VATICAN CITY, Feb 9, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. first lady Laura Bush and Pope Benedict XVI talked of the cartoon-fueled anti-Western violence and said they hoped peace and tolerance would prevail.
Bush, who met with the pope for about 15 minutes, said much of the conversation involved U.S.-supported programs regarding AIDS and hunger. But the pair did talk about the continuing violence, including in Lebanon and Syria, related to European-published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
"He talks to me about the worries of terrorism, the worries right now of the violence in Beirut and Damascus and other cities, and his hope, and certainly our hope, for peace and tolerance, for each of us to treat everyone else with respect," Bush said.
She said he understood that Muslims were offended by the caricatures, but violence was not the best way to get the point across.
The first lady said the pope gave her a "beautiful rosary" while she presented him a silver bowl from her and the president.
Bush is leading the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics, which open Friday in Turin.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
