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Pope to visit Jerusalem holy site Pope visits Jerusalem holy sites
(10 minutes later)
The Pope is due to visit sites in Jerusalem holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians on the second day of his visit to the Holy Land. Pope Benedict XVI has entered the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, becoming the first pontiff to visit the site sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians.
The pontiff will go to the Dome of the Rock, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and sacred to all three religions. The visit to the site comes on the second day of the pontiff's tour of the Holy Land.
He will then visit the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest places, before praying where Christ is said to have eaten his last meal before crucifixion. Later, he will visit the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest places, before praying where Christ is said to have eaten his last meal before crucifixion.
On Monday, he paid tribute to Holocaust victims at the Yad Vashem memorial.On Monday, he paid tribute to Holocaust victims at the Yad Vashem memorial.
"May the names of these victims never perish. May their suffering never be denied, belittled or forgotten," he said in the midst of survivors."May the names of these victims never perish. May their suffering never be denied, belittled or forgotten," he said in the midst of survivors.
But the chairman of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Directorate, Avner Shalev, said he was disappointed that the Pope did not more strongly condemn the Nazis.But the chairman of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Directorate, Avner Shalev, said he was disappointed that the Pope did not more strongly condemn the Nazis.
POPE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Monday Arrives in Israel, meets President Shimon PeresTuesday Visits Western Wall, meets Chief RabbisWednesday Visits Bethlehem, visits refugees, meets Mahmoud AbbasThursday Mass in Nazareth, talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, meets FranciscansFriday Meets Orthodox Christian leaders, departs Itinerary: Israel and West Bank Press operations compete Pope in the Mid East: The issuesPOPE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Monday Arrives in Israel, meets President Shimon PeresTuesday Visits Western Wall, meets Chief RabbisWednesday Visits Bethlehem, visits refugees, meets Mahmoud AbbasThursday Mass in Nazareth, talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, meets FranciscansFriday Meets Orthodox Christian leaders, departs Itinerary: Israel and West Bank Press operations compete Pope in the Mid East: The issues
The Pope was greeted at the entrance to the Dome of the Rock by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Mohammad Hussein, the AFP news agency reported.
He removed his shoes according to Islamic tradition when entering a holy site, said the agency.
The pontiff began his trip to Israel on Monday by saying in Tel Aviv that anti-Semitism was totally unacceptable.The pontiff began his trip to Israel on Monday by saying in Tel Aviv that anti-Semitism was totally unacceptable.
He also voiced support for the Palestinians' right to a homeland.He also voiced support for the Palestinians' right to a homeland.
The Pope's immediate, forceful and unequivocal condemnation of anti-Semitism in any form and in any part of the world will have pleased his Israeli hosts, the BBC's David Willey reports from Jerusalem.The Pope's immediate, forceful and unequivocal condemnation of anti-Semitism in any form and in any part of the world will have pleased his Israeli hosts, the BBC's David Willey reports from Jerusalem.
Pope Benedict, as a child growing up in Nazi Germany, joined the Hitler Youth, as was required of young Germans of the time, but he was not an enthusiastic member.Pope Benedict, as a child growing up in Nazi Germany, joined the Hitler Youth, as was required of young Germans of the time, but he was not an enthusiastic member.
During the previous leg of his tour - a three-day stay in Jordan - the Pope stressed the importance of Christians and Muslims working together.During the previous leg of his tour - a three-day stay in Jordan - the Pope stressed the importance of Christians and Muslims working together.
Operation 'White Robe'Operation 'White Robe'
Tuesday will be the second day of the pontiff's five-day visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank. Tuesday is the second day of the pontiff's five-day visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank.
Benedict is due to begin his day with a visit the mosque at the Dome of the Rock, whose gilded cupola dominates Jerusalem. Islamic tradition says that the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from the spot marked the mosque at the Dome of the Rock, whose gilded cupola dominates Jerusalem.
Islamic tradition says that the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from the spot marked by the dome. The dome sits on the plateau known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary).
The dome sits on the Temple Mount, know to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary).
The Dome of the Rock dominates JerusalemThe Dome of the Rock dominates Jerusalem
The Temple Mount is also sacred to Jews because it marks the location of the original temple of Solomon.The Temple Mount is also sacred to Jews because it marks the location of the original temple of Solomon.
It is also sacred to Christians because it was here that Jesus Christ is said to have argued with the high priests.It is also sacred to Christians because it was here that Jesus Christ is said to have argued with the high priests.
The Pope will then stop at the Western or Wailing Wall to pray. The wall is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount dating back to a time when a Jewish temple stood on the mount. The Pope will then stop at the Western or Wailing Wall to pray. The wall is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount, dating back to a time when a Jewish temple stood there.
The pontiff will also visit the reputed site of Jesus's Last Supper with his disciples before his crucifixion and resurrection.The pontiff will also visit the reputed site of Jesus's Last Supper with his disciples before his crucifixion and resurrection.
And he will meet Israel's chief rabbis and Muslim and Christian religious leaders.And he will meet Israel's chief rabbis and Muslim and Christian religious leaders.
Israel has beefed up security for the trip in an operation named "White Robe", with tens of thousands of law-enforcement officers deployed and entire sections of Jerusalem shut down.Israel has beefed up security for the trip in an operation named "White Robe", with tens of thousands of law-enforcement officers deployed and entire sections of Jerusalem shut down.