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Pope calls for Palestinian state Pope calls for Palestinian state
(20 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.
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 Pope Benedict XVI In pictures: Pope in Bethlehem Cool reception for Pope in Holy City Nazi row exposes Pope's PRThe 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 Pope Benedict XVI In pictures: Pope in Bethlehem Cool reception for Pope in Holy City Nazi row exposes Pope's PR
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.
Refugee camp visitRefugee camp visit
Pope Benedict was met by Mr Abbas on arrival in Bethlehem.Pope Benedict was met by Mr 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 wall that the Israelis have erected to divide Israeli and Palestinian territories.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 wall that the Israelis have erected to divide Israeli and Palestinian territories.
Speaking at a news conference at Mr Abbas's residence, he responded to Mr Abbas' welcome by expressing support for a Palestinian state.Speaking at a news conference at Mr Abbas's residence, he responded to Mr Abbas' welcome by expressing support for 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 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.
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.
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 end to the embargo on the territory.
Although the Christian population of Bethlehem has decreased dramatically in recent years through immigration, the Pope was given an enthusiastic welcome by several thousand local Christians and pilgrims from other parts of the world, our correspondent says.Although the Christian population of Bethlehem has decreased dramatically in recent years through immigration, the Pope was given an enthusiastic welcome by several thousand local Christians and pilgrims from other parts of the world, our correspondent says.
Security was tight but there was a relaxed atmosphere in the square, he adds.Security was tight but there was a relaxed atmosphere in the square, he adds.
Jerusalem visitJerusalem visit
Later in the day, Pope Benedict is due to visit a nearby Palestinian refugee camp and to have talks with Mr Abbas.Later in the day, Pope Benedict is due to visit a nearby Palestinian refugee camp 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.