New Call From Pope For Palestinian State

Pope Benedict XVI, standing in the cradle of Christianity, told Palestinians Wednesday that he supports their quest for a sovereign homeland, offering his strongest public support yet for an independent Palestinian state.

The pontiff drove to Jesus' traditional birthplace of Bethlehem, crossing through towering concrete slabs Israel has erected to wall off the West Bank. Standing alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he acknowledged Palestinians' desire for security and self-rule. The trip came a day after he came under fire from Israeli critics who contended he failed to adequately express remorse for the Holocaust.

"Mr. President, 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 neighbors, within internationally recognized borders," the pontiff said.

The pope also called for Palestinian independence when he arrived in Israel on Monday for his high-profile Holy Land pilgrimage. Israel's new Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in the audience, says the Palestinians aren't ready to rule themselves and so far has resisted international pressure to declare his support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The pope, who has described himself as a "pilgrim of peace," has been forced to navigate a host of political land mines as he makes his way through Israel and the West Bank - his first visit to the region as the head of the Roman Catholic church.

On Tuesday, the Vatican rallied to his defense, describing him as man of strong anti-Nazi credentials and a peacemaker after critics were angered that he failed to apologize in a speech at Israel's Holocaust memorial for what they see as Catholic indifference during the Nazi genocide. Earlier that day, he had visited the holiest Muslim and Jewish sites in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall.

The Palestinians hoped that the pontiff's visit would highlight their harsh conditions under Israeli military rule, and Benedict acknowledged their difficulties, but stopped short of naming Israel.

"I know how much you have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the turmoil that has afflicted this land for decades," he said.

Abbas invoked the concrete barrier and the occupation in his greeting to the pontiff.

"In this Holy Land, the occupation still continues building separation walls," Abbas said. "Instead of building the bridge that can link us, they are using the force of occupation to force Muslims and Christians to emigrate."

Israel says it has been building the barrier of concrete slabs and electronic fences, which stretches for hundreds of miles (kilometers) along the frontier with the West Bank, to keep out Palestinian militants.

Attacks have fallen off sharply, but Palestinians see the barrier as a land grab because it juts into the West Bank at multiple points, placing about 10 percent of the territory on the "Israeli" side.

Before the pope arrived, residents - many of whom are Christian - expressed hope that the pope would use his moral authority to support their quest for independence.

"Our pope is our hope" read posters hung around the town, which was also dotted with the yellow and cream flags of the Vatican and red, black, white and green Palestinian flags.

Christians are a tiny minority among the 3.9 million Palestinians who live in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In a trend seen throughout the Middle East, their numbers have dwindled as Palestinians, weary of the occupation and rising Islamic extremism, seek out new opportunities abroad.

"When he comes and visits us, it gives us moral and material support," said Ramzi Shomali, a 27-year-old electric company worker. "It motivates us to stay in our land, and he will see our situation and will use his power for our good."

Victor Batarseh, Bethlehem's Christian mayor, said he hoped the papal mission would "encourage Palestinian Christians to be steadfast on their land and encourage them to stay."

After meeting with Abbas, Benedict is to tour the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto where tradition holds Jesus was born, then visit a Palestinian refugee camp.

Roads that the papal convoy will travel were emptied overnight of cars and put off-limits to pedestrians. Security forces in camouflage uniforms and red berets were stationed every few yards along the route.