Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday expressed concerns over the sufferings of Palestinians in the middle east and called for the creation of an independent Palestine State.
The head of the Catholic Church also asked Palestinians to resist any temptation to resort 'to acts of violence and terrorism', as he made his first official visit to Jesus' traditional birthplace of Bethlehem.
"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," the Pope, who arrived in Bethlehem on Wednesday amid tight security, said during a speech.
"Have the courage to resist any temptation you may feel to resort to acts of violence or terrorism. Instead, let what you have experienced renew your determination to build peace."
The Pope said he is aware of the Palestinian suffering, which he said has been going on for dozens of years now, and expressed hope that they will enjoy greater freedom of movement and be able to visit the holy sites.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbasearlier sought Pope Benedict XVI's help to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, establish a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital living besides Israel, and to help guarantee the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
"We have been suffering since the Nakba (meaning 'catastrophe', the word Palestinians use to describe ouster from their homes in 1948), 61 years ago," Abbas said, adding, "Our people are still asking for justice and peace."
The Palestinian President also criticised Israel's policy of segregating Palestinians from their lands and their fellows by the construction of the separation wall.
"On this holy land there are people who continue to build separation walls instead of building bridges for connection," the Palestinian leader said.
He also accused Israel of forcibly displacing Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims, from their homes.
"Israel uses the power of occupation to force both Christians and Muslims in this country to migrate, and thus our holy places are becoming antiquities for tourism," Abbas said.
Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit the Nativity Church, where a small platform marks the birthplace of Jesus, to preside over a pontifical mass at the Manger Square. He will then travel to Bethlehem's Ayda Refugee Camp where he will be hosted at a UNRWA boys' school.
In preparation to the Pontiff's visit, the Palestinian Authority deployed 3000 security officers in Bethlehem, including members of the Presidential guards. Curfew was imposed in the streets and neighbourhoods of the West Bank town where the Pope's convoy was to pass.
