Pope Benedict XVI told Muslim envoys on Monday that Christian and Muslim believers must reject all forms of violence, in an audience aimed at defusing international anger over a speech seen as depicting Islam as violent.

The Pope spoke in French and expressed his "esteem and profound respect" for members of the Islamic faith in a meeting with diplomats from 21 countries and the Arab League plus the leaders of Italy's own Muslim community at his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, near Rome.

Pope Benedict told the diplomats that "our future" depends on dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

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The pontiff also quoted from his predecessor, John Paul II, who had close relations with the Muslim world, stating the need for "reciprocity in all fields," including religious freedom.

After his five-minute speech, Benedict greeted each envoy one by one. He clasped their hands warmly and chatted for a few moments with each of the diplomats.

"The circumstances which have given rise to our gathering are well known," Benedict said, referring to his remarks on Islam in a September 12 speech at Regensburg, Germany.

Addressing the diplomats, Benedict said that dialogue between Christians and Muslims "cannot not be reduced to an optional extra."

Benedict also cited John Paul II, as saying "Respect and dialogue require reciprocity in all spheres," particularly religious freedom. This is a major issue for the Vatican in Saudi Arabia and several other countries where non-Muslims cannot worship openly.

He did not dwell on the contested remarks, which set off protests around the Muslim world.

Speaking in Germany, Benedict quoted the words of a Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith."

Among predominantly Muslim nations with diplomatic relations to the Vatican, only Sudan did not participate in the meeting.

Iraq's envoy to the Vatican, Albert Edward Ishmail Yelda, said before the meeting he hoped there would be an "exchange of views" rather than just a papal speech.

"This meeting will be very important, especially in these days, to try to stop every action that is not good," said Fathi Abuabed at the Arab League's Vatican mission prior to the meeting.