Later comments were more favourable of the Pope. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said: "We respect the Pope and all those interested in peace and justice", and said he accepted the Vatican view that the pontiff's words had been "misinterpreted" and "taken out of context".
Later statements were more favorable toward the Pope. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad acknowledged the Vatican's view that the Pope's words had been misinterpreted and taken out of context.