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Dear Brother Bishops, count on my support and encouragement as you

do all that is in your power to assist our Christian brothers and sisters to

remain and prosper here in the land of their ancestors and to be messengers

and promoters of peace. I appreciate your efforts to offer them, as mature

and responsible citizens, spiritual sustenance, values and principles that as-

sist them in playing their role in society. Through education, professional

preparation and other social and economic initiatives their condition will be

sustained and improved. For my part, I renew my appeal to our brothers and

sisters worldwide to support and to remember in their prayers the Christian

communities of the Holy Land and the Middle East. In this context I wish to

express my appreciation for the service offered to the many pilgrims and

visitors who come to the Holy Land seeking inspiration and renewal in the

footsteps of Jesus. The Gospel story, contemplated in its historical and geo-

graphical setting, becomes vivid and colorful, and a clearer grasp of the

significance of the Lord's words and deeds is obtained. Many memorable

experiences of pilgrims to the Holy Land have been possible thanks also to

the hospitality and fraternal guidance offered by you, especially by the

Franciscan Friars of the Custody. For this service, I wish to assure you of

the appreciation and gratitude of the Universal Church and I express the

wish that many more pilgrims will visit in the future.

Dear brothers, as we address together our joyful prayer to Mary, Queen of

Heaven, let us place confidently in her hands the well-being and spiritual

renewal of all Christians in the Holy Land, so that, under the guidance of

their Pastors, they may grow in faith, hope and love, and persevere in their

mission as promoters of communion and peace.

XIII

In visitatione campi exsulum in Bethlehem.*

Mr President,

Dear Friends,

My visit to the Aida Refugee Camp this afternoon gives me a welcome

opportunity to express my solidarity with all the homeless Palestinians who

long to be able to return to their birthplace, or to live permanently in a home-

land of their own. Thank you, Mr President, for your kind greeting. And thank

Acta Apostolicae Sedis Commentarium Officiale526

* Die 13 Maii 2009.