Pope Benedict XVI apologized to Muslims yesterday for having quoted a Byzantine emperor's description of Islam as prone to violence (cf. jihad) in a speech he delivered last week during a pastoral visit to his native Bavaria.

The pope's remarks sparked violent protests in the Muslim world.

Benedict said he had meant no offense, and that his intent had been "an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue" with Muslims, whose leaders insist that Islam is based on peace, dialogue, and tolerance.

A frank and sincere dialogue would be a good thing, and should deal with the following issues (material that could offend the sensibilities of the Muslim faithful, and put lives and limbs at risk, has been expurgated):

The xxx about how xxxxx on xxxxx a xxx xxx to xxxxx because xxxx should xxxxx. Xxx xxxx that xx, xxxxx for the xx xxxx xx. Xxxx xxxxx in the xxxx an xxxxx that xxxxx: xxxx during xxxx xx xxxx. If the xxx xxxx xxx is xxxx xxx at xxx xxx, xxxx xxxx xxxx. Xxxx after the "xxxxx xx a xxxxxx." Xxxx xxx death to the Crusaders, xxxx'x xxx xx also xxx xxxxx xxx, xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx. It xxxx xxx the xxxx xxxx xxxxxxx: either xxxxxx or xxxxxxx, but not xxxxxx. Xxxx xxxx of the xxx against xxxx xxxxx a xxx the xxx evil Jews, xxx xx to xxxx a xxxxx xxxx with a xxxxxx! Why xxx xxxxx xxx? Xxxxxxx, in xxxx xxxxx so xxx xxxxxxxxx xxx'x xxx kebab with garlic or yogurt?

Furthermore, xxxx xxx xx x a xxx the xxx. Xxxx xxx xx to xxxx xxxx, although xxx xxxx xx xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxx. An xxxx xxx xxxx xxx xxxxx whether xxxxx the xxxxxx xxxx there xxxx xxx xxxx xxxx the xxx xxx xxxxxx reconciliation.