Bertone explains Pope's cancellation of appearance (+ full text of address)

CNA fills us in:

Due to this planned disturbance, the Secretary of State wrote to the rector that “the prerequisites for a dignified and tranquil welcome were not present” and that “it was judged opportune to postpone the scheduled visit in order to remove any pretext for demonstrations which would have been unfortunate for everyone concerned".

Cardinal Bertone also explained why the Pope decided to send his address to the university’s rector. In the letter, the cardinal relates that since the majority of professors and students wished to hear "a culturally meaningful word, whence to draw stimuli for their own journey in search of truth, the Holy Father has instructed that the text he prepared for the occasion be sent to you".

CWNews provides us with a copy of the full text.

The Associated Press has decent coverage of this story.

Meanwhile, in related news, the UK has decided to treat anti-Pope Benedict posters as a hate crime.

Finally, a brief letter to the editor published in the NYT notes: "How ironic that those in opposition should resort to threats of violence to suppress, in the putative interest of science, a discussion of religion. Viva Galileo! Viva Benedict XVI!"

At least we're not the only ones who are making the connections.

update 2: LifeSiteNews offers coverage.