ISRAEL: JERUSALEM: POPE JOHN PAUL II VISITS SACRED SITES

(26 Mar 2000) English/Nat

On his final day in the Holy Land on Sunday, Pope John Paul II visited the sacred sites of Jerusalem's Old City.

Jews and Muslims alike welcomed him but also pressed their competing claims to the disputed city.

The Western Wall was one of the major stops for the pontiff in Jerusalem's Old City, as his pilgrimage to the Holy Land draws to a close.

The site - also known as the Wailing Wall - is revered as the only surviving remnant of the Jews' second temple.

Officials welcomed the pontiff's visit as heralding a new spirit of religious tolerance.

Israeli Cabinet minister Rabbi Michael Melchior said those present committed themselves to ending the manipulation of Jerusalem for political gain.

SOUND-UP: (English)
"We say today begins a new era in which we all lift our eyes to the heavens and commit ourselves to search every ancient path and pave bold new highways that will bring peace to all believers - Jews, Christians, Muslims alike."
SUPER CAPTION: Rabbi Michael Melchior, Israeli Cabinet minister

As the Pope approached the massive stones of the Western Wall, he held up a trembling hand, made the sign of the cross and prayed.

Following tradition, he also left a private prayer in a nook between the ancient stones of the Wailing Wall.

The note, which he also read aloud, asked forgiveness for those who've caused the Jewish people to suffer.

Nothing was allowed to disturb the Pope's visit to Judaism's most sacred site - police hustled away an orthodox Jewish youth who began calling out.

He was heard to shout out "Jews", before he was whisked away.

Earlier, the Pope visited the Al Aqsa Mosque complex, the third-holiest Islamic shrine, on the hilltop above.

He met Jerusalem's top Islamic cleric, or Mufti, and other Palestinian clerics and dignitaries, including the top PLO official in the disputed city.

Outside the mosque, the Palestinian clerics pressed their cause.

SOUND-UP: (English)
"I'd like to have your voice for all those people who destroyed our houses and put my people in prison."
SUPER CAPTION: Palestinian Cleric

Inside, the Mufti Ikrema Sabri called on the Pontiff to end the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem.

Israel captured east Jerusalem, including the Old City and its holy shrines, from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war.

Later, the pope celebrated Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a shrine revered by Christians as the spot where Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead.

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