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Pope visits Nazareth to call for peaceful co-existence
Ed Harris14.05.09
Pope Benedict greeted tens of thousands of followers in Nazareth today with a message of reconciliation, urging Christians and Muslims in the city to “reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice”.
The Pope was speaking on the fourth day of a Holy Land pilgrimage dogged by controversy. Benedict has been tripped up by the region's most sensitive issues, including the legacy of the Holocaust and the Palestinian plight under Israeli occupation.
In his address, Benedict spoke of the tensions that have harmed relations between the three main religions in the region. “I urge people of goodwill in both communities to repair the damage that has been done, and in fidelity to our common belief in one God, the Father of the human family, to work to build bridges and find the way to a peaceful co-existence,” he said.
“Let everyone reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice, which kills men's souls before it kills their bodies.”
The comments touched on some of the key themes the Pope has focused on during the trip, which yesterday took him to the West Bank town of Bethlehem. From there, Benedict issued a ringing appeal for an independent Palestinian state.
He was due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who resists the idea of an independent Palestinian state — later today.
Reader views (3)
The Pope was urging Christians and Muslims in the city to “reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice” was he?
Unless of course you happen to be gay, in which case then him promoting hatred and prejudice against us is OK, it seems.
What double standards!
- Robert C, London UK
Adam, Its quite commonly reported that the major problem is with apartheid Israel state and its disgusting attitude towards the indigenous people of the land. I applaud the Pope for saying something right for once especially in the face of such a strong lobby preventing others from speaking out.
- Alan Rex, London, UK
Has the pope brought up the issue of the exodus of huge numbers of Christians from Bethlehem and Nazareth as they are forced out by fundamentalist islamicists?
- Adam, Harrow, UK
