Pope Benedict XVI this week called his recent visit to the Holy Land a “great gift for the Successor of Peter and for the whole Church”. Speaking to visitors at his general audience on Wednesday in St Peter’s Square,the Pope said last week’s journey to Jordan,Israel and the Palestinian Territories should be remembered as “a pilgrimage par excellence to the source of the faith” and a “pastoral visit” to the tiny Catholic community in the region.

Throughout his journey Pope Benedict urged all the peoples of the region – especially committed Jews, Christians and Muslims – to use their common belief in one God as a catalyst for living alongside one another in peace. At a Mass at Jesus’ childhood home town of Nazareth, the Pope called for healing between local Muslims and Christians, saying: “Let everyone reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice, which kills men’s souls before it kills their bodies!”

Middle East peace, Catholic-Jewish relations and multiple-entry visas for Catholic priests and Religious from surrounding Arab countries were some of the topics that Pope Benedict and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed during a private meeting in Nazareth on the same day as the Mass.