ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: The foreign ministry on Friday summoned the Vatican ambassador over the remarks by Pope Benedict XVI linking Islam with violence.

“Apostolic Nuncio was called to the Foreign Office,” the ministry said in a statement.

“He was conveyed that the regrettable remarks attributed to Pope Benedict XV1 ... were deeply disturbing for Muslims all over the world, and had caused great hurt and anguish,” it said.

“It was underlined that at a time when there was an acute need for promoting inter-faith harmony such remarks, regardless of the context, were very unfortunate.”

The ambassador regretted the hurt caused to Muslims and said that the media had misconstrued certain historical quotes that the Pope used in a lecture, the ministry said.—AFP