TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahrudi said on Monday that pitting Christian figures against Muslims is a conspiracy.

"These conspiracies come at a time when Muslims in Lebanon have gained remarkable victory for sticking to a single belief and for defending their land and territory," said Shahrudi in a meeting with judiciary officials on Monday.

Shahrudi said Pope's claims coincide with enormous and constant crimes of the occupying Zionist regime with the backing of the U.S. and Europe which consider themselves Christians.

He said he was surprised at Pope's silence in the face of these crimes.

"Pope Benedict XVI has raised unreal claims, which stem from his unawareness of Islam. His claims have been heart rending for all the world Muslims," he added.