Castel Gandolfo (Italy), Sep 17 (DPA) Pope Benedict XVI made a personal apology over the misunderstanding caused by his remarks on Islam and violence at the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer at his Castel Gandolfo summer residence near ome.

The pope said he "deeply regrets" the reaction to his comments and the misunderstanding.

He said he merely quoted a medieval text on the subject of Islam and violence and that this quote was not his own words.