Pope Benedict XVI in West , courting Christians , urging religious freedom . Allen : Thus , when Ratzinger was elected to succeed John Paul as Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005 , it was widely seen as a vote for continuity with the late pontiff 's policies . Pope hopes Muslims and Muslims will join forces to defend shared values . Allen : Price for alliance is a `` greater capacity for pluralism '' within the Muslim Brotherhood . Pope : Pope 's relations with Muslims have been rocky : Can he pull it off ?
Pope Benedict XVI in West , courting Christians , urging religious freedom . Allen : Pope hopes Muslims and Muslims will join forces to defend shared values . Allen : Price for alliance is a `` greater capacity for pluralism '' within the Muslim Brotherhood . Pope : Pope 's relations with Muslims have been rocky : Can he pull it off ?