Pontiff Benedict XVI expressed his support for Palestinians' striving for sovereignty after he paid a one-day visit to Bethlehem located on the occupied West Bank of the Jordan river, RIA Novosti reported.
"The Sacred Throne supports right of your nation to the sovereign Palestinian country in the land of our ancestors who lived in security and peace with neighbors recognized by international community," Pontiff said at a meeting with the Head of the Palestinian national administration Mahmoud Abbas.
Reiterating the statement that he made before he arrived in Israel two days ago, Benedict XVI again used term "homeland" instead of "state" which is more frequently used in such cases.
Pontiff's visit program in Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born according to Bible traditions, includes mass at the central city square, visiting children's hospital and camp of Palestinian refugees