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Pope urges Mideast Peace

Updated: 26/Dec/2005 15:13

Pope Benedict XVI

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The pope has called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians at his first traditional Christmas address at the Vatican on Sunday.

Speaking to thousands of people at the Church of the Basilica, Bendedict XVI urged his followers to think of those in Bethlehem.

“We wish to pray for peace in the Holy Land,” he said. "Look O Lord, upon this corner of the earth, your homeland, which is so very dear to you. Let your light shine upon it. Let it know peace."

He continued: "On this night, when we look towards Bethlehem, let us pray in a special way for the birthplace of our redeemer and for the men and women who live and suffer there.

Bridging relations

The 78-year-old Pontiff, who was appointed Pope in April this year after the death of John Paul II, has been seen to make an effort to bridge relations between Christians and Jews. He has repeatedly urged reconciliation between the two religions and met with a number of delegations of Jewish organisations.

Earlier this year he met with Israeli president Moshe Katsav in the Vatican, and spoke of his hope of visiting Israel, in what was described by Israeli officials as a historic meeting.

Benedict XVI also held talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Vatican last month where Abbas invited the Pope to visit Jerusalem.

Bethlehem pilgrims

The Pope’s speech was broadcast live to more than 45 countries, as an estimated 30,000 pilgrims descended on the West Bank city of Bethlehem. This was the largest number of visitors since the start of the intifada in 2000.

Last week the city’s mayor had urged visitors to come to what is believed to have been the birthplace of Jesus, despite recent infighting between various Palestinian groups. A group of armed Palestinians had taken over a Palestinain Authority building earlier, demanding jobs in the PA security organizations.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who attended the official Christmas prayer session in Bethlehem, decried the Israeli security barrier which now surrounds Bethlehem.

Although the barrier has been proved to have stopped many suicide bombers, the Palestinian complain it has been used by the Israelis to confiscate Palistinian land.

“The Palestinians wish to build a bridge of peace to replace Israel’s walls,” Abbas said.

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