| Follow us on Twitter |
Pope Benedict the Sixteenth greeted tens of thousands of followers in Jesus' childhood home Thursday morning with a message of reconciliation, urging Christian and Moslem residents of Nazareth to overcome recent strife and reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice.
Addressing a crowd of some 40,000 cheering and flag-waving pilgrims at a mass at Mount Precipice, the pope spoke of the tensions that have harmed interfaith relations. "I urge people of good will in both communities to repair the damage that has been done," he said.
Following the mass, the pontiff is to pray at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazereth. He will also meet with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and religious community leaders.
The pope returns to Rome on Friday.
By Reka Israel
Posted May 14th, 2009 by Armen Hareyan
