Pope appeals for peace during Lebanon visit

BEIRUT -- Pope Benedict XVI appealed for peace and reconciliation among religions Friday as violence over an anti-Islam movie spilled over into Lebanon within hours of his arrival in the tumultuous region.

The pope flew into Lebanon for a three-day visit despite the recent unrest -- including civil war in Syria, a mob attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans in Libya, and a string of violent protests across the Middle East stemming from the film, produced in the United States, which insults Islam.

"I have come to Lebanon as a pilgrim of peace," the 85-year-old pope said upon arrival in Beirut, speaking under a canopy at the airport on a sultry afternoon. "As a friend of God and as a friend of men."

He denounced religious fundamentalism, calling it "a falsification of religion."

The pontiff was welcomed by top leaders, including the Lebanese president, prime minister and parliament speaker, as well as Christian and Muslim religious leaders. "Let me assure you that I pray especially for the many people who suffer in this region," he said.

But just hours after the pope arrived, violence erupted in northern Lebanon over "Innocence of Muslims," a film that ridicules the prophet Muhammad, portraying him as a fraud, a womanizer and a child molester.

According to Lebanese security officials, a crowd angry over the film set fire to two restaurants in Tripoli, sparking clashes with police. Police then opened fire, killing one of the attackers, the officials said.