Posted on 09/02/2005 3:13:17 AM PDT by an italian
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Benedict has had a meeting with Oriana Fallaci, the Italian author of best-selling books that criticise Islam, local media reported on Tuesday. Italian news agency Ansa quoted Vatican sources as saying the private meeting took place on Saturday at the Pope's summer residence in Castelgandolfo, near Rome.
The Vatican was not immediately available to comment, but one official, who declined to give his name, said such a meeting had been under discussion for a long time.
Fallaci lives in New York and has regularly provoked the wrath of Muslims with her outspoken criticism of Islam and Arab states following the September 11, 2001, attacks on U.S. cities.
An Italian judge in May ordered her to stand trial for defaming Islam in her 2004 book, "La Forza della Ragione" (The Force of Reason).
In the book, Fallaci wrote that terrorists had killed 6,000 people over the past 20 years in the name of the Koran and said the Islamic faith "sows hatred in the place of love and slavery in the place of freedom".
News of her meeting with the Pope is likely to anger some Muslims, but Italian politicians said Benedict had been right to accept Fallaci's request for a private audience.
"The Holy Father has acted as the Vicar of Christ and acted like Christ himself, who never refused to talk to anyone," said former Italian president Francesco Cossiga.
Fallaci, who is in her 70s and undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, publicly welcomed the election of Pope Benedict in April, praising his conservative Catholic credentials and his call for the defence of traditionalist teachings.
This is very good.
She is absolutely one of the most astute people in the world on the issue of islamic terrorism, and would have some wise advice to share.
She is dying of cancer. I wonder if that's why he met with her too.
Are you really "an Italian"?
Yes, she's dying. And when it will happen, the world will lost one of the greates and most passioned person it has. Someone who is still fighting.
Yes I am. I live near Milan, in the mountains in which took places the World Chapionship of Ski last winter... But Actually now I'm starting my University (International Law) at Siena, in the center of Italy (near miss Fallaci's Florence) so I'm gonna live there.
Best wishes in your school endeavors.
I love the way you said that.
I'm going to be praying for your success, my friend.
She deserves a metal and many many prayers.
Thank you very much for the link.
:)
-good times, G.J.P. (Jr.)
I"m neither catholic nor Italian, but I love both those folks!
I've heard that Northern Italy would be the 3rd or 4th richest country in Europe -- if not for southern Italy. Is that truth or hyperbole?
Historically, northern Italy has always been rich and industrial, while the south is more poor and agricultural.
You are getting sleepy, verrry sleepy...
:7)
The fact is... Northen Italy was always on the leadership of Industrial powe during the 1800 such as Austria... That's why we are "industrial". Yes, northen Italy is more rich than the South.
Same here.
She deserves people who have the courage to say they stand with her. The problem is, a lot of people agree with miss Fallaci, but few of them are brave enough to say it. That's why she seems herself alone.
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