Pope Francis makes unscheduled stop at separation barrier, while speaking directly of Palestinian state.
For the thousands of Palestinians who gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square and along the roads of this hilly city, it was worth the long hours in the hot sun to hear that Pope Francis had referred directly to the "State of Palestine."
Ariel Schalit / AP
"World leaders, religious leaders come to visit Israel and they don't even bother to come to Palestinian areas and talk to us," said Mohammed Bashir, a 41-year-old engineer from Bethlehem. "In my heart, I feel joy and awe."
AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool
The Vatican recognized Palestine as a state in 2012 amid the UN vote to confer Palestinians with the status of a non-member observer state, until then only held by the Vatican.
AP Photo/Ariel Schalit
"People dance around this word in circles, but to Palestinians it is very important to hear it," said Bashir. "It recognizes our right to exist here."
AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool
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