Re: B16

Ed Morrissey nails it:

"...one cannot escape the contemporary context of this speech, and that reflects that only one world religion still uses violence for expansion and conversion -- which is why Isamists became so irate about the speech. They haven't been insulted, they've been exposed, and they don't like it."

The Anchoress has an interesting theory on the matter:

According to the Associated Press, as she lay dying, Sr. Leonella Sgorbati followed the example of her lord, murmuring, “I forgive, I forgive…” about her murderers. That is an action of grace; it is supernatural in origin. Her death will have repercussions throughout the world, as will the Pope’s speech - as will any attempt on his life - and none of it will reflect well on Islam, which may finally be forced to look within to identify its enemies.
It is worth wondering if what we are witnessing here is a cosmic chess game, in which Benedict has seen a few moves ahead. Perhaps. More likely though, given Benedict’s apparent surprise at the vehement reaction of the “Muslim street,” and at the inability of so many to take his words in context, what we are seeing is a spiritual surgeon’s delicate probing of a supernatural psyche, one which perceives the examination as a finger being thrust into a wound. Benedict’s careful probe may well prove to be the catalyst which shames Islam (currently finding itself unable to murmur “I forgive, I forgive,” about anything at all) into finally putting down its swords.

Always the optimist.