HOLY TOUR

The Pope's Grand Farewell

Tells Israelis, Palestinians: "No more war!"

In keeping with the theme of his visit to the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI ended his tour of the West Bank on a note of unity. In his final speech on Friday, Benedict XVI condemned Holocaust denial—which Israelis had criticized him for not doing earlier in the trip—and made his strongest appeal for the creation of a Palestinian state. And while the pope left on a high note, some Israelis and Palestinians were disappointed. Israelis wanted the German-born pontiff to commit more fully to fighting anti-Semitism, and Palestinians wanted him to highlight their own suffering under Israeli occupation. Instead, the pope served up broad words of peace: "Allow me to make this appeal to all the people of these lands," he said. "No more bloodshed. No more fighting. No more terrorism. No more war!"