Pope calls on religions to unite against terrorism

Sydney: Pope Benedict called for all religions to unite against terrorism and resolve conflicts peacefully on Friday in a speech to Australia's Islamic and Jewish leaders.

"In a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate forms of violence, the united voice of religious people urges nations and communities to resolve conflict through peaceful means and with full regard for human dignity," Benedict said.

The pope also said the Catholic Church was open to learn from other religions, a comment seen in the context of the Vatican's moves to improve relations with the Islamic world.

"The church eagerly seeks opportunities to listen to the spiritual experience of other religions," said the pontiff, in Sydney for the Catholic Church's World Youth Day July 15-20.

Catholic-Muslim relations nosedived in 2006 after Benedict delivered a lecture in Regensburg, Germany, that was taken by Muslims to imply that Islam was violent and irrational.

Muslims around the world protested and the pope sought to make amends when he visited Turkey's Blue Mosque and prayed towards Mecca with its Imam.

After the fallout from the Regensburg speech, 138 Muslim scholars and leaders wrote to the German-born pontiff and other Christian leaders last year, saying "the very survival of the world itself" may depend on dialogue between the two faiths.

In March, the Vatican and Muslim leaders agreed to establish a permanent official dialogue, known as "The Catholic-Muslim Forum", to improve often difficult relations.

The pope said he recognised multi-cultural Australia's respect for religious freedom, adding that religion was a force for unity, not division.

He said religion can help people of different origins "live generously, forging bonds of friendships with our neighbours".

Australia's Muslim leaders have opened their mosques and schools to house Roman Catholic pilgrims for World Youth Day as part of efforts to ease interfaith tensions.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils is also planning mixed-faith sporting competitions and mosque open days for the international festival.