BETHLEHEM, West Bank — Pope Benedict XVI made a powerful plea Wednesday for a Palestinian state, mixing prayer and politics at Jesus’ birthplace and expressing solidarity at a refugee camp with "all the homeless Palestinians who long to be able to return to their birthplace.”
At the Aida refugee camp, the pope spoke in the shadow of the massive concrete barrier that divides Israelis and Palestinians and urged both sides to resist the urge for revenge and find the courage needed for peace.
The visit provided a forum for Palestinians to vent their rage over the Israeli occupation, and Benedict said he understood their frustration.
But he urged young people to "have the courage to resist any temptation to resort to acts of violence or terrorism,” his first mention of terrorism since he began his tour Friday.
Benedict also delivered a special message of solidarity to the 1.4 million Palestinians isolated in Hamas-ruled Gaza. He has no plans to visit Gaza.
The pontiff brought several gifts to Bethlehem, including a ventilator for a children’s hospital and a mosaic representation of the birth of Jesus.
by the associated press
At the Aida refugee camp, the pope spoke in the shadow of the massive concrete barrier that divides Israelis and Palestinians and urged both sides to resist the urge for revenge and find the courage needed for peace.
The visit provided a forum for Palestinians to vent their rage over the Israeli occupation, and Benedict said he understood their frustration.
But he urged young people to "have the courage to resist any temptation to resort to acts of violence or terrorism,” his first mention of terrorism since he began his tour Friday.
Benedict also delivered a special message of solidarity to the 1.4 million Palestinians isolated in Hamas-ruled Gaza. He has no plans to visit Gaza.
The pontiff brought several gifts to Bethlehem, including a ventilator for a children’s hospital and a mosaic representation of the birth of Jesus.
by the associated press
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