Pope John Paul made a strong plea for peace in the Middle East at the beginning of his first visit to the Holy Land yesterday. "No matter how difficult, no matter how long, the process of seeking peace must continue. Without peace there can be no authentic development for this region, no better life for its people, no brighter future for its children," he said.
Speaking during an arrival ceremony at Queen Alia international airport near the Jordanian capital, Amman, he said that "in this area of the world there are grave and urgent issues of justice, of the rights of peoples and nations, which have to be resolved for the good of all concerned as a condition for lasting peace."
He praised Jordan's "proven commitment" to securing the conditions necessary for peace in the region, describing them as "so important and praiseworthy". He pointed out that the Catholic Church "without forgetting that her primary mission is a spiritual one, is always eager to co-operate with individual nations and people of goodwill in promoting and advancing the dignity of the human person".
The three historical monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) counted "peace, goodness and respect for the human person among their highest values", he said, and continued that "building a future of peace requires an ever more mature understanding and ever more practical co-operation among the peoples who acknowledge the one true, indivisible God, the Creator of all that exists".
He expressed the earnest hope that his visit would strengthen "the already fruitful Christian-Muslim dialogue" being conducted in Jordan, "particularly through the Royal Inter-faith Institute". Welcoming the Pope as "a man of peace " and as "a symbol of all that is pure and noble in this life; faith and prayer to Almighty God, and forgiveness for each other", Jordan's King Abdullah II spoke of the hope the visit brought to the region.
"Hope for the Palestinians who yearn for justice and stability, a promise for the Isrealis of security and acceptance, comfort for the Lebanese of a better tomorrow, and hope for Syrians that the sad chapter of war is finally over. It is also a prayer for our Iraqi brothers and sisters for a new brighter day to finally dawn for them," he said.
He drew parallels with the visit of Pope Paul VI in 1964, which his late father King Hussein had said "`meant a great deal to us who believe in God, it meant a coming together of people of both religions (Christianity and Islam). It was a very very great happening." Pope John Paul's presence was "a call for those believers in peace not to lose hope," King Abdullah said.
Afterwards the Pope was taken to Mount Nebo, a half hour's drive away and from where it is believed Moses saw the Promised Land before he died. Pope John Paul prayed there before being taken by pope-mobile through cheering crowds on the narrow streets of nearby Madaba.
By yesterday at least however concern about the Pope's health was abating somewhat as the much talked about mark on his forehead had practically disappeared. The Vatican spokesman, Dr Navarro Vals, told The Irish Times the injury occurred a few days ago when Pope John Paul was in his library. He had lifted his head without thinking and banged it on a shelf.
AFP adds: Israeli police said in Jerusalem yesterday that they arrested three Jewish extremists - members of the outlawed anti-Arab movement Kach - suspected of seeking to disrupt Pope John Paul II's visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Three Israelis were shot and injured last evening when their vehicle came under fire near the West Bank town of Hebron.