Pope In Israel Calls For Palestinian Homeland

Pope Benedict XVI is in Israel, a trip that was meant to focus on improving relations between the Vatican and the Jews.

Immediately upon arriving he calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian homeland.. which may have been a little awkward for his hosts?

Before arriving in Israel he spent 3 days in Jordan – he is using this tour to reach out to both Muslims and Jews.

“The hopes of countless men, women and children for a more secure
and stable future depend on the outcome of negotiations for peace,” he
told a welcoming ceremony at Israel’s international airport. “In union
with people of goodwill everywhere, I plead with all those responsible
to explore every possible avenue in the search for a just resolution of
the outstanding difficulties, so that both peoples may live in peace in
a homeland of their own within secure and internationally recognized
borders.”

While Benedict has spoken in favor of a Palestinian
homeland in the past, the timing and location of his comments were
noteworthy.

The Pope also took on addressing the Holocaust .. rest of the story here.