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Pope's Holy Land trip raises hopes, questions

Pope's Holy Land trip raises hopes, questions

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VATICAN CITY - Given the Holy Land's long and complex history of military, religious and cultural conflict, the run-up to Pope Francis' May 24-26 pilgrimage was inevitably marked by fears it would be marred by controversy — or worse.

During an in-flight news conference Pope Francis stated that he will meet with a group of sex abuse victims in June.

Pope to meet with sex abuse victims for first time in June

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Pope Francis will meet with a group of sex abuse victims for the first time in June, he told reporters May 26.

Pope Francis presides at the papal Mass in Manger Square.

A papal pilgrimage of peace

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JERUSALEM - The Pope had a simple plan as he set out for the Holy Land with a rabbi and a Muslim sheik in tow. But simple plans can be difficult to execute.

ope Francis celebrates Mass with the ordinaries of the Holy Land and the papal delegation in the Cenacle in Jerusalem May 26. The pope dedicated his final hours in Jerusalem to time with local Catholics, reminding them that despite difficulties, God is always by their side.

Pope Francis thanks religious for their presence in Holy Land

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JERUSALEM - Pope Francis dedicated his final hours in Jerusalem to time with local Catholics, reminding them that despite difficulties, God is always by their side.

Pope Francis prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem May 26. The pope stood for more than a minute and a half with his right hand against the wall, most of the time in silent prayer, before reciting the Our Father. Then he followed custom by leaving a wri tten message inside a crack between two blocks.

On last morning in Holy Land, Pope reaches out to Muslims, Jews

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JERUSALEM - Pope Francis spent the last morning of his three-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land meeting with Muslims and Jews and calling for closer relations among the three major monotheistic religions as the basis for peace in the region.

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople kiss the Stone of Unction in Jeusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher May 25. The two leaders marked the 50th anniversary of the meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch At henagoras.

Fifty years later, Pope and patriarch meet again in Jerusalem

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JERUSALEM - Half a century after a historic encounter between their predecessors, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met in the same place to seek inspiration for Christian unity at the site of Christ's death and resurrection.

Pope Francis shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel, Palestine leaders accept invite to Vatican

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Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are both on record accepting the invitation from Pope Francis to come and pray for peace at the Vatican.

Pope Francis has offered his home, the Vatican, to Israeli President Shimon Perez and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to pray together for peace.

Pope invites Israel, Palestine leaders to Vatican

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BETHLEHEM - Pope Francis has offered his home, the Vatican, to Israeli President Shimon Perez and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to pray together for peace.

In Bethlehem, near site of Christ's birth, pope speaks out for children

In Bethlehem, near site of Christ's birth, pope speaks out for children

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BETHLEHEM, West Bank - Celebrating Mass a few steps from the spot traditionally believed to the birthplace of Jesus, Pope Francis said that the way society treats its young reveals its moral character.

Zuhair Espanioli from Nazareth in Israel was among the early arrivals at Manger Square to greet the pope. Zuhair has been present for every papal visit to the Holy Land, including Pope Paul VI when he was 14 years old.

Crowds gather early in anticipation of Pope appearance

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BETHLEHEM - The faithful began arriving in Manger Square four hours in advance of Pope Francis' appearance, waving flags, shaking hands, buzzing with excitement. With three hours to go the people are singing hymns.

Pope Francis makes the Sign of the Cross after praying as he visits Bethany Beyond the Jordan May 24, believed to be where Jesus was baptized, southwest of Amman.

At River Jordan, pope meets suffering, speaks against arms trade

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AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan's powerful and marginalized joined together at the banks of the River Jordan to welcome Pope Francis at the site believed to be where Jesus was baptized.
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