Pope in Bethlehem calls for Palestinian homeland

Pope Benedict on Wednesday called for a sovereign Palestinian homeland as he started a one-day vist to the Palestinian territories in the West Bank.

"The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbours, within internationally recognised borders," the pope said during a speech in Bethlehemat the palace of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Reuters)