AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Pope Francis has thanked Jordan for welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria, calling for an "urgent," peaceful solution to the conflict.
His comments come as he began a three-day visit Saturday to the Middle East
Pope Francis also lauded Jordan for the "serene coexistence" enjoyed by Christians and Muslims here and called for greater protections for minority Christians across the region in prepared remarks to King Abdullah II and Jordanian political and religious leaders at the royal palace.
Francis' plane touched down at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport on Saturday afternoon, his first stop in a busy trip that will bring him to the West Bank city of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
During the flight from Rome, Francis told reporters the intense trip would be "very challenging" but rewarding.
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