Pope Francis has arrived in the West Bank to start the most politically sensitive part of his visit to the Middle East. Church officials say his three-day tour of the region, which began in Jordan on Saturday, is purely focused on religious issues.
The Pope flew to Bethlehem by helicopter, becoming the first Pontiff to travel directly to the West Bank rather than enter via Israel - a decision hailed by Palestinian officials as a recognition of their push for full statehood. He is due to celebrate an open-air Mass in Bethlehem's Manger Square, close to where Christians believe Jesus was born.
The Pope flew to Bethlehem by helicopter, becoming the first Pontiff to travel directly to the West Bank rather than enter via Israel - a decision hailed by Palestinian officials as a recognition of their push for full statehood. He is due to celebrate an open-air Mass in Bethlehem's Manger Square, close to where Christians believe Jesus was born.
His Holiness Papa Francesco (Pope Francis) boards a Royal Jordanian AS332M1 helicopter in Amman, Jordan on the morning of 25th May 2014 to make the 20 min flight to Bethlehem in Israel
Papa Francesco arriving over Bethlehem on the morning of 25th May 2014 aboard a Royal Jordanian Air Force Super Puma AS332M1 JY-RSE
Papa Francesco in contemplation as the engines cool down
Francesco prepares to dismount the Puma
Deplaning at Bethlehem Heliport
A flight of two Royal Jordanian Pumas arrived at the heliport
Papa Francesco leaving the heliport
