low graphics version | feedback | help
|
 The BBC's Orla Guerin reports"A journey to the cradle of the faith"  real 28k  Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislative assembly"We have no doubt that the Pope supports a Palestinian state"  real 28k |
The Palestinian people have the natural right to a homeland  |
John Paul II
|
On his arrival in Bethlehem, he was presented with a bowl of earth, which he kissed.
A Palestinian homeland
The Pope said the Vatican had always recognised that the Palestinian people "have the natural right to a homeland, and the right to be able to live in peace and tranquillity with the other peoples of this area".
 Yasser Arafat warmly welcomed the Pope's comments
|
The Pope called for courage, compromise and "compliance with the demands of justice" from all the parties involved.
The Palestinian people value highly your just positions in support of their cause |
Yasser Arafat
|
In response, Yasser Arafat said: "The Palestinian people value highly your just positions in support of their cause and their rightful presence on their homeland as a sovereign and independent people."
Click here for sacred sites on the Papal tour
BBC correspondent Hilary Andersson says the Pope's speech can only have lived up to the Palestinians' highest expectations.
But Israeli officials played down the Pope's words. Public Security Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami said: "I don't see anything new in the Vatican's position. We are not going to look at the petty details of the visit through a microscope."
Earlier on Wednesday, he visited Qasr el Yahud - the site on the West Bank of the River Jordan where Israel says Jesus was baptised.
This followed a visit on Tuesday to the place on the east bank, which Jordan claims as the baptism site.
Mass in Manger Square
The Pope held mass for 20,000 believers in Manger Square in Bethlehem.
"Today from Manger Square, we cry out to every time and place, and to every person, 'Peace be with you. Do not be afraid!" the Pope told the worshippers and guests, including Yasser Arafat.
Do not be afraid to preserve your Christian presence and heritage in the very place where the saviour was born |
John Paul II
|
The Pope also urged the dwindling Palestinian Christian minority to stay in the Holy Land.
"Do not be afraid to preserve your Christian presence and heritage in the very place where the saviour was born," he said from a makeshift stage outside the Church of the Nativity.
Pope John Paul greeted the majority Palestinian Muslim community of Bethlehem, and called for "a new era of understanding and co-operation among all the peoples of the Holy Land."
 The Pope will visit Dheisheh refugee camp
|
Later, the Pope visited the Dheisheh refugee camp in the West Bank.
He issued a plea to world leaders to end the plight of homeless Palestinians.
"Only a resolute effort on the part of leaders in the Middle East and in the international community as a whole ... can remove the causes of your present situation," he told refugee families.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
|
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
|
| BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
Country profiles
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~24~RS~)