Last updated: 8 may, 2009 - 17:39 GMT
Pope begins Middle East tour
Pope Benedict XVI stressed his "deep respect" for Islam as he arrived in Jordan to begin a Middle East visit.
The Pope intends to strengthen ties with Jewish and Muslim leaders
He described religious freedom as a fundamental human right, and said he hoped the Catholic Church could play a role in the Middle East peace process.
The Pope says he is going on his eight-day tour - his first to the region as pontiff - as a "pilgrim of peace".
The Pontiff will be spending time in Jerusalem: a city of unique importance to three major religions.
The BBC's religious affairs correspondent Christopher Landau has been investigating religious life in Jerusalem, from Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspectives.
Firstly he looked at Judaism. He began by meeting a Rabbi, Arik Asherman.
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First broadcast 6-8 May 2009
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