Vatican, Mar. 20, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The head of the Al Qaida terrorist network charged that Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) is leading a "crusade" against Islam, and vowed retribution, in a taped message released on the 5th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

In his first public message since last November 29, Osama bin Laden told the people of Europe to prepare for chastisement. "You will be punished," the terrorist chieftain said. The 5-minute message made particular reference to the cartoons published in Danish newspapers, which Muslims have cited as blasphemous.

Italian officials, speaking off the record, said that they were taking the threats seriously. Security around the Vatican, already tight, has been stepped up for the public services of the Easter Triduum.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, said that bin Laden's complaints against the Pope were "absolutely baseless." He reminded reporters that the Vatican had issued several statements criticizing the Danish cartoons, characterizing them as an "unacceptable provocation" against Muslims. The Pope, he added, has frequently called for respectful treatment of all religions.

Nevertheless, the papal spokesman noted, the Pope has been singled out for criticism by bin Laden in previously messages. On several occasions, Islamic terrorists have hinted about a strike against the Vatican.

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