Pope Francis arrives in Jordan at start of Holy Land trip
updated 7:07 AM EDT, Sat May 24, 2014
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Groups of cheering supporters line the road as Pope Francis arrives in Amman
- Francis is visiting Jordan, Bethlehem and Jerusalem with a rabbi and a Muslim cleric
- "Highly symbolic" visit sends message of unity in volatile region, says Vatican
- The pope is also expected to call attention to the poor and downtrodden during his visit
Descending the steps of the plane in Amman, he was greeted by a throng of local dignitaries and clergy.
Small groups of cheering supporters lined the road, waving flags and chanting "Long live the pope," as his motorcade left the airport at the start of his visit.
In Jordan, the pope will greet some of the 600,000 Syrians that have fled since the start of the civil war in 2011, as well as refugees from Iraq. He will also celebrate Mass and visit the River Jordan, where many Christians believe Jesus was baptized.
The Holy Land trip is the first for Francis as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and just the fourth for any pontiff in the modern era.
The pope will visit Bethlehem and Jerusalem alongside Rabbi Abraham Skorka, who co-wrote a book with the pontiff, and Sheikh Omar Abboud, who leads Argentina's Muslim community.
Pope Francis leaves after speaking to university students Thursday, April 10, at the Vatican. With his penchant for crowd-pleasing and spontaneous acts of compassion, the Pope has earned high praise from fellow Catholics and others since he replaced Pope Benedict XVI in March 2013.
The Pope meets faithfuls as he visits the San Gregorio Parish in Rome on Sunday, April 6.
The Pope meets faithfuls as he visits the San Gregorio Parish in Rome on Sunday, April 6.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, have an audience with the Pope during their one-day visit to Rome on April 3.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, have an audience with the Pope during their one-day visit to Rome on April 3.
Francis speaks with U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited the Vatican on March 27.
Francis speaks with U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited the Vatican on March 27.
The Pope blesses the altar at Rome's Santa Sabina church as he celebrates Mass on March 5, Ash Wednesday.
The Pope blesses the altar at Rome's Santa Sabina church as he celebrates Mass on March 5, Ash Wednesday.
Daniele De Sanctis, a 19-month-old child dressed up as a pope, is handed to Francis as the pontiff is driven through the crowd February 26 at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
Daniele De Sanctis, a 19-month-old child dressed up as a pope, is handed to Francis as the pontiff is driven through the crowd February 26 at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
Wind blows the papal skullcap off Pope Francis' head February 19 in St. Peter's Square.
Wind blows the papal skullcap off Pope Francis' head February 19 in St. Peter's Square.
A lamb is placed around Francis' neck as he visits a living nativity scene staged at the St. Alfonso Maria de' Liguori parish church, on the outskirts of Rome, on January 6.
A lamb is placed around Francis' neck as he visits a living nativity scene staged at the St. Alfonso Maria de' Liguori parish church, on the outskirts of Rome, on January 6.
The Pope holds a baby Jesus during a Christmas Eve Mass held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican in 2013.
The Pope holds a baby Jesus during a Christmas Eve Mass held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican in 2013.
Pope Francis, right, meets with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican on December 23. Benedict surprised the world by resigning "because of advanced age." It was the first time a pope has stepped down in nearly 600 years.
Pope Francis, right, meets with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican on December 23. Benedict surprised the world by resigning "because of advanced age." It was the first time a pope has stepped down in nearly 600 years.
Pope Francis marked his 77th birthday on December 17 by hosting homeless men to a Mass and a meal at the Vatican. One of the men brought his dog.
Pope Francis marked his 77th birthday on December 17 by hosting homeless men to a Mass and a meal at the Vatican. One of the men brought his dog.
Pope Francis embraced Vinicio Riva, a disfigured man who suffers from a non-infectious genetic disease, during a public audience November 6 at the Vatican. Riva then buried his head in the Pope's chest.
Pope Francis embraced Vinicio Riva, a disfigured man who suffers from a non-infectious genetic disease, during a public audience November 6 at the Vatican. Riva then buried his head in the Pope's chest.
Pope Francis jokes November 6 with members of the Rainbow Association, which uses clown therapy in hospitals, nursing homes and orphanages.
Pope Francis jokes November 6 with members of the Rainbow Association, which uses clown therapy in hospitals, nursing homes and orphanages.
A young boy hugs Francis as he delivers a speech October 26 in St. Peter's Square. The boy, part of a group of children sitting around the stage, played around the Pope as the Pope continued his speech and occasionally patted the boy's head.
A young boy hugs Francis as he delivers a speech October 26 in St. Peter's Square. The boy, part of a group of children sitting around the stage, played around the Pope as the Pope continued his speech and occasionally patted the boy's head.
Francis has eschewed fancy cars. Here, Father Don Renzo Zocca, second from right, offers his white Renault 4L to the Pope during a meeting September 7 at the Vatican.
Francis has eschewed fancy cars. Here, Father Don Renzo Zocca, second from right, offers his white Renault 4L to the Pope during a meeting September 7 at the Vatican.
Francis has his picture taken inside St. Peter's Basilica with youths who came to Rome for a pilgrimage in August.
Francis has his picture taken inside St. Peter's Basilica with youths who came to Rome for a pilgrimage in August.
During an impromptu news conference on July 29, aboard a plane from Brazil to Rome, the Pope said about gay priests, "Who am I to judge?" Many saw the move as the opening of a more tolerant era in the Catholic Church.
During an impromptu news conference on July 29, aboard a plane from Brazil to Rome, the Pope said about gay priests, "Who am I to judge?" Many saw the move as the opening of a more tolerant era in the Catholic Church.
Crowds swarm the Pope as he makes his way through World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro on July 27. According to the Vatican, 1 million people turned out to see the Pope.
Crowds swarm the Pope as he makes his way through World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro on July 27. According to the Vatican, 1 million people turned out to see the Pope.
Francis frees a dove May 15 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Francis frees a dove May 15 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Francis embraces a young boy with cerebral palsy on March 31, 2013, a gesture that many took as a heartwarming token of his self-stated desire to "be close to the people."
Francis embraces a young boy with cerebral palsy on March 31, 2013, a gesture that many took as a heartwarming token of his self-stated desire to "be close to the people."
The Pope washes the feet of juvenile offenders, including Muslim women, as part of Holy Thursday rituals on March 28, 2013. The act commemorates Jesus' washing of the Apostles' feet during the Last Supper.
The Pope washes the feet of juvenile offenders, including Muslim women, as part of Holy Thursday rituals on March 28, 2013. The act commemorates Jesus' washing of the Apostles' feet during the Last Supper.
Francis stands at the reception desk of the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI residence, where he paid the bill for his stay during the conclave that would elect him leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
Francis stands at the reception desk of the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI residence, where he paid the bill for his stay during the conclave that would elect him leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
Francis, formerly known as Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected the Roman Catholic Church's 266th Pope on March 13, 2013. The first pontiff from Latin America was also the first to take the name Francis.
Francis, formerly known as Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected the Roman Catholic Church's 266th Pope on March 13, 2013. The first pontiff from Latin America was also the first to take the name Francis.
Pope Francis
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday, April 3. Over the years, she has also met many of his papal predecessors.
The Queen, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, exchanges gifts with Pope Benedict XVI in Edinburgh, Scotland, in September 2010.
The Queen, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, exchanges gifts with Pope Benedict XVI in Edinburgh, Scotland, in September 2010.
The Queen shakes hands with Pope John Paul II at the Pope's private office in October 2000.
The Queen shakes hands with Pope John Paul II at the Pope's private office in October 2000.
Pope John Paul II walks with the Queen at London's Buckingham Palace in May 1982.
Pope John Paul II walks with the Queen at London's Buckingham Palace in May 1982.
The Queen and Prince Philip meet Pope John Paul ll for the first time in October 1980.
The Queen and Prince Philip meet Pope John Paul ll for the first time in October 1980.
The Queen and Prince Philip are pictured with Pope John XXIII at the Vatican in 1961.
The Queen and Prince Philip are pictured with Pope John XXIII at the Vatican in 1961.
The Queen, then as Princess Elizabeth, poses for a group photo with her entourage, Vatican knights and Swiss Guards following a talk with Pope Pius XII in April 1951.
The Queen, then as Princess Elizabeth, poses for a group photo with her entourage, Vatican knights and Swiss Guards following a talk with Pope Pius XII in April 1951.
Popes and the Queen
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President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Pope John XXIII are shown during a private audience at the Vatican, Dec. 6, 1959.
July 2, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and Pope Paul VI talk at the Vatican.
July 2, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and Pope Paul VI talk at the Vatican.
Oct. 4, 1965, Pope Paul VI and President Lyndon B. Johnson are seen during the Pontiff's visit to New York.
Oct. 4, 1965, Pope Paul VI and President Lyndon B. Johnson are seen during the Pontiff's visit to New York.
Sept. 28, 1970, President Richard Nixon talks with Pope Paul VI as they meet in the Vatican.
Sept. 28, 1970, President Richard Nixon talks with Pope Paul VI as they meet in the Vatican.
Jan. 1, 1975, President Gerald Ford with his wife Betty at the Vatican City with Pope Paul IV.
Jan. 1, 1975, President Gerald Ford with his wife Betty at the Vatican City with Pope Paul IV.
President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy meet Polish Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy, July 15, 1976.
President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy meet Polish Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy, July 15, 1976.
Sept. 10, 1987, Pope John Paul II meets with President Ronald Reagan in the Vizcaya, a lavish mansion on Biscayne Bay, in Miami.
Sept. 10, 1987, Pope John Paul II meets with President Ronald Reagan in the Vizcaya, a lavish mansion on Biscayne Bay, in Miami.
May 27, 1989, President George H.W. Bush gestures while standing with Pope John Paul II in the papal library at the Vatican.
May 27, 1989, President George H.W. Bush gestures while standing with Pope John Paul II in the papal library at the Vatican.
August 12, 1993, Pope John Paul II and President Bill Clinton walk the grounds of Regis University in Denver.
August 12, 1993, Pope John Paul II and President Bill Clinton walk the grounds of Regis University in Denver.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Pope John Paul II upon his arrival for a private meeting at Vatican June 4, 2004.
President George W. Bush shakes hands with Pope John Paul II upon his arrival for a private meeting at Vatican June 4, 2004.
First lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush applaud as Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd at the White House during an arrival ceremony on April 16, 2008.
First lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush applaud as Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd at the White House during an arrival ceremony on April 16, 2008.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meet with Pope Benedict XVI in his library at the Vatican on July 10, 2009.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meet with Pope Benedict XVI in his library at the Vatican on July 10, 2009.
President Barack Obama and Pope Francis exchange gifts during a private audience on March 27, 2014 at the Vatican.
President Barack Obama and Pope Francis exchange gifts during a private audience on March 27, 2014 at the Vatican.
Popes and Presidents
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The religion of the pope's traveling companions, both of whom hail from his home country, Argentina, is no coincidence.
"It's highly symbolic, of course," said the Rev. Thomas Rosica, a consultant to the Vatican press office.
"But it also sends a pragmatic message to Muslims, Christians and Jews that it's possible to work together -- not as a system of checks and balances but as friends."
In Bethlehem, Frances will greet children from refugee camps, celebrate Mass in Manger Square, lunch with Palestinian families, and visit the site of Jesus' birth. The pope is expected to call for a Palestinian state, which has long been Vatican policy.
And in Jerusalem, the pontiff will meet the city's grand mufti and chief rabbis, visit the Western Wall and Yad Vashem, a memorial to the Holocaust, and lay a wreath on the grave of the founder of modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl. He will also celebrate Mass at the site of the Last Supper.
The papal visit will include high-profile encounters as well.
Francis will meet with King Abdullah II in Jordan, with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, in Bethlehem, and with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres while in Jerusalem.
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