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Pope calls for Palestinian state Pope calls for Palestinian state
(9 minutes later)
Pope Benedict XVI has offered his support for the Palestinians' right to a homeland, as he continues a Middle East tour in the West Bank.Pope Benedict XVI has offered his support for the Palestinians' right to a homeland, as he continues a Middle East tour in the West Bank.
Speaking on his arrival in Bethlehem, the Pope called for a "just and lasting" peace in the region.Speaking on his arrival in Bethlehem, the Pope called for a "just and lasting" peace in the region.
He urged Palestinians not to resort to violence and terrorism.He urged Palestinians not to resort to violence and terrorism.
He then held a Mass in the town's Manger Square, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. He will later visit a refugee camp.He then held a Mass in the town's Manger Square, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. He will later visit a refugee camp.
One of the aims of the pontiff's visit is to preserve a diminishing Christian presence in the Holy Land.One of the aims of the pontiff's visit is to preserve a diminishing Christian presence in the Holy Land.
David Willey, BBC News, Bethlehem It's Christmas all over again in Bethlehem this fine May day. O Come All Ye Faithful and Gloria In Excelsis rang out over Manger Square as Pope Benedict celebrated mass for an enthusiastic congregation of several thousand Palestinian Christians and Catholic Pilgrims from as far away as Vietnam.David Willey, BBC News, Bethlehem It's Christmas all over again in Bethlehem this fine May day. O Come All Ye Faithful and Gloria In Excelsis rang out over Manger Square as Pope Benedict celebrated mass for an enthusiastic congregation of several thousand Palestinian Christians and Catholic Pilgrims from as far away as Vietnam.
They protected themselves from the fierce sun with yellow and white baseball hats - the colours of the Vatican flag, handed out by attendants - and they waved Palestinian flags. The atmosphere was festive despite the heavy security and checkpoints set up along all roads leading to the town where Jesus Christ was born.They protected themselves from the fierce sun with yellow and white baseball hats - the colours of the Vatican flag, handed out by attendants - and they waved Palestinian flags. The atmosphere was festive despite the heavy security and checkpoints set up along all roads leading to the town where Jesus Christ was born.
Business went on as usual in the nearby cafes and souvenir shops while Pope Benedict, clothed in gold vestments, preached about the injustices suffered by the Palestinians in general and Gazans in particular as result of the continuing conflict with Israel. His audience applauded wildly as he referred to the tiny knot of Catholic pilgrims from Gaza who had been allowed to travel to Bethlehem. In pictures: Pope in Bethlehem Christian couple's divided life Mixed emotions in BethlehemBusiness went on as usual in the nearby cafes and souvenir shops while Pope Benedict, clothed in gold vestments, preached about the injustices suffered by the Palestinians in general and Gazans in particular as result of the continuing conflict with Israel. His audience applauded wildly as he referred to the tiny knot of Catholic pilgrims from Gaza who had been allowed to travel to Bethlehem. In pictures: Pope in Bethlehem Christian couple's divided life Mixed emotions in Bethlehem
On Tuesday, a row flared over his membership as a teenager of the Hitler Youth, as he paid a historic visit to holy sites in Jerusalem.On Tuesday, a row flared over his membership as a teenager of the Hitler Youth, as he paid a historic visit to holy sites in Jerusalem.
Vatican spokesman, the Reverend Federico Lombardi, said the pontiff had "never, never, never" belonged to the organisation, but later appeared to backtrack, saying that he had been a member but his membership was compulsory.Vatican spokesman, the Reverend Federico Lombardi, said the pontiff had "never, never, never" belonged to the organisation, but later appeared to backtrack, saying that he had been a member but his membership was compulsory.
The Pope said in his own 1997 memoirs, Salt of the Earth, that he had been registered with the Hitler Youth while he was at a seminary.The Pope said in his own 1997 memoirs, Salt of the Earth, that he had been registered with the Hitler Youth while he was at a seminary.
Pope Benedict was met by Mr Abbas on arrival in Bethlehem. Pope Benedict was met by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on arrival in Bethlehem.
The BBC's David Willey in Bethlehem says that on his journey from Jerusalem, the Pope was able to see for himself for the first time the barrier that the Israelis have erected in the West Bank.The BBC's David Willey in Bethlehem says that on his journey from Jerusalem, the Pope was able to see for himself for the first time the barrier that the Israelis have erected in the West Bank.
Israel says it is to prevent Palestinian militants from attacking its population, but Palestinians say it is a unilateral measure to seize occupied land.Israel says it is to prevent Palestinian militants from attacking its population, but Palestinians say it is a unilateral measure to seize occupied land.
Speaking at a news conference at Mr Abbas's residence, the head of the Roman Catholic Church responded to Mr Abbas' welcome by expressing support for a Palestinian state. Speaking at a news conference at Mr Abbas's residence, the head of the Roman Catholic Church responded to Mr Abbas's welcome by expressing support for a Palestinian state.
"The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbours, within internationally recognised borders," he said."The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbours, within internationally recognised borders," he said.
Declining populationDeclining population
The current Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu has so far refused to endorse the idea of the creation of a Palestinian state.The current Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu has so far refused to endorse the idea of the creation of a Palestinian state.
POPE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Monday Arrives in Israel, meets President Shimon PeresTuesday Visits the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall. Celebrates Holy Mass in Josaphat ValleyWednesday Visits Bethlehem, visits refugees, meets Mahmoud AbbasThursday Mass in Nazareth, talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, meets FranciscansFriday Meets Orthodox Christian leaders, departs Itinerary: Israel and West Bank Guide: Jerusalem's holy sites Pope in the Mid East: The issuesPOPE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Monday Arrives in Israel, meets President Shimon PeresTuesday Visits the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall. Celebrates Holy Mass in Josaphat ValleyWednesday Visits Bethlehem, visits refugees, meets Mahmoud AbbasThursday Mass in Nazareth, talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, meets FranciscansFriday Meets Orthodox Christian leaders, departs Itinerary: Israel and West Bank Guide: Jerusalem's holy sites Pope in the Mid East: The issues
The Pope said Palestinians should "resist temptations to resort to acts of violence".The Pope said Palestinians should "resist temptations to resort to acts of violence".
He continued his busy day in the town with an open-air Mass and a homily in Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity.He continued his busy day in the town with an open-air Mass and a homily in Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity.
The Pope said his heart went out to those caught up in the conflict in Gaza, adding that he was praying for end to the embargo on the territory. The Pope said his heart went out to those caught up in the conflict in Gaza, adding that he was praying for an end to the embargo on the territory.
Although the Christian population of Bethlehem has decreased dramatically in recent years through emigration, the Pope was given an enthusiastic welcome, our correspondent says.Although the Christian population of Bethlehem has decreased dramatically in recent years through emigration, the Pope was given an enthusiastic welcome, our correspondent says.
Jerusalem visitJerusalem visit
Later in the day, Pope Benedict is due to visit a refugee camp in Bethlehem, populated by Palestinians displaced from their homes since Israel was created in 1948, and to have talks with Mr Abbas.Later in the day, Pope Benedict is due to visit a refugee camp in Bethlehem, populated by Palestinians displaced from their homes since Israel was created in 1948, and to have talks with Mr Abbas.
HAVE YOUR SAY Whether or not one likes him, or the policies he espouses, he is the head of a massive organization that represents some kind of stability. I hope and pray he can do something positive Chad, Minneapolis, USA Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Whether or not one likes him, or the policies he espouses, he is the head of a massive organization that represents some kind of stability. I hope and pray he can do something positive Chad, Minneapolis, USA Send us your comments
The pontiff will also meet representatives of the tiny Catholic community in Gaza, a few who have been given special permission by the Israeli authorities to travel to Bethlehem.The pontiff will also meet representatives of the tiny Catholic community in Gaza, a few who have been given special permission by the Israeli authorities to travel to Bethlehem.
On Tuesday, the Pope visited sites in Jerusalem holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians.On Tuesday, the Pope visited sites in Jerusalem holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians.
He went first to the Dome of the Rock, the first pontiff to do so. It is located on the Temple Mount - a site sacred to all three monotheistic religions, and met the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Mohammad Hussein.He went first to the Dome of the Rock, the first pontiff to do so. It is located on the Temple Mount - a site sacred to all three monotheistic religions, and met the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Mohammad Hussein.
Then the Pope followed Jewish tradition at the Western Wall, inserting a written prayer in the cracks between the 2,000-year-old stones.Then the Pope followed Jewish tradition at the Western Wall, inserting a written prayer in the cracks between the 2,000-year-old stones.
He emphasised the ties that bound Christianity with Islam and with Judaism.He emphasised the ties that bound Christianity with Islam and with Judaism.
Later at a Mass in the Josaphat Valley, he said it was a "tragic reality" that many Christians had left the region.Later at a Mass in the Josaphat Valley, he said it was a "tragic reality" that many Christians had left the region.