VATICAN CITY, April 25, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – One day after ignoring Islam and hailing the “great spiritual heritage” shared by Jews and Christians in his inaugural Mass, Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, April 25, welcomed progress in Christian-Muslim dialogue.

“I am particularly grateful for the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community,” the pontiff said in a private audience with the leaders of other religions and Christian Churches, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“I express my appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians, both at the local and international level,” said the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

“I assure you that the Church wants to continue building bridges of friendship with the followers of all religions, in order to seek the true good of every person and of society as a whole,” added the 78-year-old pope.

In a homily marking his inauguration, Pope Benedict XVI paid homage to “my brothers and sisters” of the Jewish people, but failed to make any reference to Islam or Muslims.

A few days following his election, he sent a message to Rome's chief rabbi vowing to foster and strengthen dialogue with Jews.

Some observers fear that Jewish lobbies might blackmail the new pope for his wartime membership – which he confirms was enforced -- in Nazi Germany's Hitler Youth.

Pope Benedict XVI further said it was “imperative to engage in authentic and sincere [inter-faith] dialogue, built on respect for the dignity of every human person.”

He hoped that peace would prevail in the four corners of the world.

The pontiff said that though the world was often marked by violence and war, “it earnestly longs for peace, peace which is above all a gift from God, peace for which we must pray without ceasing.”

He said peace was a “duty to which all peoples must be committed, especially those who profess to belong to religious traditions.”

The new pontiff’s known opposition to an EU membership for Muslim Turkey has raised many question marks.

In an interview last year with France's Le Figaro magazine, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said Ankara should seek its future in an association of Islamic nations, not with the EU, which has Christian roots.

He said Turkey had always been “in permanent contrast to Europe” and that linking it to Europe would be “an enormous mistake.”

During his reign, late John Paul II reached out to Muslims like no other pope.

In 1986, the late pope invited Muslims and followers of other faiths to Assisi to pray together for world peace.