People in little Gnostic cliques prefer lies to the Truth so they repeat lies.
I could be wrong about this --- but that still remains to be seen. Produce the evidence. Opinions, no matter how widely repeated, if not coming straight from sources involved there at the time prove next to nothing, rendering such as;
land right back nearer the doorsteps of those who casually fling that sort of talk around, than the porch they were a-aiming for. Where is this "secret knowledge" that book was in actual fact;
when we know korans are often times green too, and as I said, there was published commentary, from reliable source, containing first person witness.
Not that I believe it meant that Pope being endorsing Islam unreservedly, but rather as many have pointed out, likely did so as sign of respect for the giver (from a group of guests invited from the Middle East). That pope too was known as quite a kisser. He'd kiss the ground after arrival on an airplane or jet flight, and it wasn't over having a rough trip along the way. He'd kiss babies. He'd kiss other presents. Some people would kiss his ring. KIssy kissy, lot's of kissy.
Read into it whatever blows your skirts up. Meanwhile, stuff like this;
still get's us nowhere fast. If it is desired there be a bit less mind reading, attributing of motive, insult aimed in broad brush strokes, then tighten up, be more disciplined, knock that sort of thing [behavior] off regardless if all others don't, and carefully consider that there are standards of proof & evidence that have not yet been met concerning that picture.
There are possibly a few FR Roman Catholic who agree it was a Koran. I know of one. Perhaps he has changed his mind, I wouldn't know. But it's likely quite safe to assume that person did not think so (koran kiss) at the time, just because he was "knew it wasn't a Koran" but was lying so that he could go about "playing little games" concerning it.
see also Jimmy not categorically denying, but doing some wqigglin' http://www.jimmyakin.org/2006/04/jp2_and_the_qur.html
Here's Father Joe accepting it be fact, and raising points worthy of consideration, with F.Joe being both kind and generous towards one and all in his own comments. H seems like a serious and decent guy to me. Since it be rather handy summation of sorts, the last paragraph;
The Koran was a gift to him from the delegation. Islamic peoples are not casual in the giving of gifts. It represents the giver. They knew perfectly well that the Pope was a Catholic Christian, but they gave to him that which was regarded as most important in their life, their own holy book. Thus, at the end of the audience, the Pope showed his deep appreciation to this intimate self-donation, by bowing and kissing the Koran as a sign of respect. Such a gesture ran totally against the grain of crusades and condemnations. It did not mean that the Pope accepted all that was in the book, only that his love for the Muslim people, and the Iraqis in particular, was genuine. He makes the first move, not in the capitulation of our faith, but in the recognition that the followers of Jesus and those who cherish Mohammed should not be engaged in name-calling, or worse, killing each other. The Pope appreciated the suffering of the Iraqi people, particularly the women and children. It showed he did not look down upon them but had a genuine respect for them within the brotherhood of man.
Scroll down at that last above link to see F.Joe holding the line as late as some time late August 2010, or even bit later.
a couple of more links for Catholic of the "ok we accept a Koran got kissed" crowd, possibly available at this FR reply/comment though I've not investigated for while an so cannot assure link validity, or validity of citations presented on FR in that comment.
Others here whom believe that it was indeed a Koran can and will reasonably consider that to be so, unless or until there was some retraction or clarification coming from the Vatican that it not be so. Since JP II is now fairly long since deceased, I seriously doubt anything will be forthcoming from that source concerning the matter. I further suggest that attributing motives and impugning the character of many here be refrained from in regards to this matter.
What is a good for the goose, is good for the gander. Now if you'll excuse me for a while...I think I'll find myself a big 'ol bowl of gravy, and have myself a swim.