Paying a visit to the Phoenix Center in Bethlehem before departing, Pope Francis meets with a group of Palestinian children from the refugee camps of Dheisheh, Aida and Beit Jibrin.
Palestinian children held up signs in Arabic, English and Italian calling the pope’s attention to a variety of Palestinian issues, including the hardships faced by Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk refugee camp outside Damascus, Syria.
“We demand the freedom to worship,” one sign read.
One of the children addressed the pope saying that despite the hardships of life under Israeli military rule, “We the children of Palestine haven’t lost hope yet.”
“Your visit gives us hope,” the boy said.
“This occupation is a sin against God and man. It deprives the Palestinians of their basic human rights,” he told the pope. “Let’s all pray for a fair, all-encompassing peace.”
Speaking on behalf of the “imprisoned and hurt” children of his refugee camp, the boy called for the pope to intercede for justice’s sake.
The pope meets with Palestinian children in Bethlehem on Sunday, May 25. (screen capture: CTV)
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 25, 2014
