Pope Benedict XVI, in Germany for a festival of young Catholics, admonishes Muslim leaders to steer young people away from terrorism. The pope met Saturday with Islamic leaders from Germany's large Turkish community.
JOHN YDSTIE, host: From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.  I'm John Ydstie.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: Pope Benedict XVI told Islamic leaders in Germany today that they had a      duty to steer young people away from terrorism.  The pope met with      religious leaders from Germany's top Turkish community as part of his      visit to his homeland for this year's World Youth Day festival for young      Catholics.  NPR's Sylvia Poggioli is with the pontiff in Cologne.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: Hi, Sylvia.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: SYLVIA POGGIOLI reporting:</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: Hi, John.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: Sylvia, this sounds like a pretty blunt message that the pope      delivered today.  What exactly did he say to the Muslim religious      leaders?</s>POGGIOLI: Benedict said the world would be exposed to the darkness of a      new barbarism unless religions work together to combat terrorism, which      he called a cruel fanaticism.  He said those who instigate terrorist      attacks want to poison relations between faiths and use all means,      including religion, to prevent coexistent and mutual respect.</s>POGGIOLI: The pope focused in particular on the duty of Islamic leaders in      educating young people.  He said teaching is the vehicle through which      ideas and convictions are transmitted, and addressing the leaders      directly, he said, `You have a great responsibility for the formation of      the younger generation.'</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: A very blunt message, and how did the Muslim leaders react?</s>POGGIOLI: Well, in their prepared statements, two Muslim leaders of      Turkish origin focused primarily on interfaith dialogue and the need for      mutual respect between religions and the issue of terrorism was somewhat      secondary. But one leader, Nadeem Elyas, head of the Central Council of      Muslims in Germany, called for a mea culpa by both the Islamic and      Christian worlds for what he called the black chapter of our common      history.  He said this is necessary for Christians and Muslims to fight      their common enemy:  terrorism.</s>POGGIOLI: Now today's meeting came at a very crucial time because there's an      increasing suspicion between Europeans and the 15 to 20 million Muslims      living in Europe, and Europeans have begun asking out loud whether the      multicultural ideal has failed and whether it's possible to integrate      Muslims into European societies.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: Of course, before Benedict became pope when he was known as      Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he often remarked on the Christian roots of      Europe.  Does this message today complicate his outreach to the Muslim      community?</s>POGGIOLI: Well, you know, in fact, last year, as then Cardinal Joseph      Ratzinger, he spoke out against Turkey's membership in the European      community, saying it had always been in permanent contrast to Europe, but      as pope, he's already softened his language somewhat.  For example, he      reportedly overruled an aide who wanted to brand the July 7th London      bombings as anti-Christian and instead he called them acts against      humanity.  And Benedict has taken pains to reject the theory of a clash      of civilizations between Islam and the West.  And he's made it clear that      on many issues dear to him--the decline of family values and the      increased secularization of the West--Islam can be a powerful ally in the      pope's campaign against what he calls the dictatorship of relativism.</s>POGGIOLI: But today the pope also stressed another issue that's very dear to him,      and that's the concept of reciprocity which means recognition of      religious freedom for Christians and other minorities in some majority      Islamic countries.  The Vatican has long complained of increased      harassment of Christians in the Middle East, but most of all, Benedict      wants equal religious rights.  For example, if Saudi Arabia can spend      millions to finance mosques in the West, why are Christians banned by law      from building churches in Saudi Arabia.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: NPR's Sylvia Poggioli in Cologne.</s>JOHN YDSTIE, host: Thanks very much, Sylvia.</s>POGGIOLI: Thank you, John.