SIR - Firstly let me say that I am not a Catholic and but I could not resist answering Dr Iqbal's article (T&A, September 19) regarding the supposed "gaffe" of the Pope, as it is so condescending.

A quote is a quote and does not need qualifying with the opinion of the quoter. Why would the Pope stir up controversy with Islam? He has nothing to gain and a heck of a lot to lose.

In a sense, Christianity is European because it was mainly spread by European missionaries who have given the world lots of good things (and a few not-so-good too I suspect!).

In its present way of thought and reception of items that "upset the rank and file" of Islam - it certainly is not compatible with the rest of the world, never mind Europe.

There has to be give and take and freedom of speech and this is something that Islam has to learn before it will be totally accepted by the rest of us.

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke