Vatican slams pastor who plans to burn the Quran ahead of 9/11 anniversary

The Pontifical council for interreligious dialogue said the violence of 9/11 "cannot be counteracted by an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community."

Pastor Terry Jones, of the evangelical Dove World Outreach Centre which promotes anti-Islam sentiment said he will go ahead with burning the copies of Islam’s holy book this weekend, despite opposition from the US military, the Whitehouse and others.

The Vatican said offering solidarity to those affected by the attacks and praying for them is a proper form of reflection to mark the ninth anniversary of the attacks.

"Each religious leader and believer is also called to renew the firm condemnation of all forms of violence, in particular those committed in the name of religion," the statement said.