Bismillah
salam
This may sound strange, but I can fully understand how the popse would think this way and publicly decalare his position.
Otherwise, there are many monks and priest who are guided to Islam but they dont declare it publicly.
I mean the Pope is the sign of Christianity, enjoying all the glory, golden ornamented robe and all that. how can I expect him to say that islam, if he embraces it would loose all this rank associated glory, is correct or that the Messenger was the Messenger of mercy.
Dan, the same thing i see around with Coptic Egyptians, they like promise things to Saint Terese, or Saint Marie George, if they fulfilled their needs. They go there and light candles.