Pope Offers Support for Palestinian Homeland

Pope Benedict XVI (C) walks from Manger Square to the Church of the Nativity, the traditionally accepted bithplace of Jesus Christ, after holding a Holy Mass in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 13 May 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

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. 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, the BBC reported.

One of the aims of the pontiff's visit is to preserve a diminishing Christian presence in the Holy Land. 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.

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.

 

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!