"ROME (JTA) -- Pope Benedict XVI said he is traveling to the Middle East this week as 'a pilgrim of peace' and invoked a special blessing on the Palestinians."
"The pope said that on his trip he wanted to bear witness to the commitment of the Catholic Church in fostering dialogue and reconciliation aimed at achieving a stable and lasting peace based on 'justice and reciprocal respect.'
"He said he also wants to back interfaith relations and to demonstrate his support for 'Christians in the Holy Land, who must confront many difficulties on a daily basis.'"