Pope Benedict said both Christians and Muslims must work together against intolerance and violence during the meeting with prominent diplomats from Muslim countries, including Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and Iraq, and the Arab League.

During the meeting at the pope's summer residence in Castelgandolfo Pope Benedict assured Muslim diplomats that he has esteem and profound respect for Muslim believers. "Interreligious and intercultural dialogue is a necessity for building together this world of peace and fraternity ardently desired by all people of good will," the Pope said, according to the Catholic News Service.

"Christians and Muslims must learn to work together ... in order to guard against all forms of intolerance and oppose all manifestations of violence," he said.

Pope Benedict said that following the work of his predecessor, John Paul II, he would like to see relations between Muslims and Christians develop further in a spirit of sincerity and respect.

In conclusion, the Pope spoke of the upcoming important Muslim religious holiday, Ramadan. "At this time when for Muslims the spiritual journey of the month of Ramadan is beginning, I address to all of them my cordial good wishes, praying that the Almighty may grant them serene and peaceful lives," Pope Benedict said.

The Italian representative of the World Muslim League, Mario Scialoja, said he thought the talk with Muslim leaders was a "very good and warm speech".

The Iraqi Ambassador to the Vatican said pope spoke of his deep respect for Islam and this is what the Muslim world was expecting to hear.

It was the fourth time the Pope had tried to make amends to Muslims, without actually apologising directly, for a speech at a university in his native Germany on September 12 when pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who had criticized Mohammed, the founder of Islam. Many Muslims took violent exception to pope's words.

The Pope is facing the toughest international crisis since his election in April last year which may affect his planned trip to Turkey in November, Reuters reported.

Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turk who tried to kill pope John Paul II in 1981, warned Benedict not to travel to Turkey, saying his life would be at risk.